Acute exposure of fruit bats to low concentrations of heavy metals affects oxidative stress markers

Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) are heavy metals and common environmental pollutants. We aimed to investigate heavy metals effects on fruit-bats organs. Adult males (Artibeus lituratus) were captured and exposed to heavy metals (1.5 mg/kg). The Integrated Biomarker Response helped us understand the interrelationship in a multi-biomarker global approach to oxidative stress. The liver was more sensitive to Ni and Pb than Cd and Cr. In the kidney, Pb did not cause hazardous effects, unlike the other metals. In testes, Ni doubled damage levels compared to the other metals. Ni did not cause serious effects in muscles, which was more sensitive to Pb and Cd than to Cr. The brain was more susceptible to Pb and Ni than Cr and Cd. We observed that acute doses, even in low concentrations, are deleterious to fruit-bats. We propose the following order of metal toxicity: Ni> Pb> Cd> Cr. SUMMARY STATEMENTThe investigation of heavy metals toxicity in fruit bats reveals differential sensitivities of organ and highlights the harmful effects of acute exhibitions even at low concentrations.