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Effect of different concentrations of SO2 (5, 10 and 15 ppm) on antioxidant enzymes and histo-pathological changes were investigated in male rats under natural and experimental conditions. Naturally exposed, house rat, Rattu srattus (Group I) were collected from urban residential areas at Ludhiana, India. Laboratory bred house rats were divided into four groups. Group II (control rats) were exposed to filtered air in 1 m³ exposure chamber for 5 h per day for 28 days, Group III, IV and V were exposed to 5, 10 and 15 ppm of SO2, respectively.Three concentrations of SO2 showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation(LPO) and significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) and non-significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) levels in testesof male rats. Results showed that SO2 is an oxidative damage causing agent to testesof rats.Like other environmental contaminants and pesticides this contaminant (SO2 ) is also affecting male reproductive system besides other organs. It also acts as a toxin just like pesticides which are adversely affecting human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are one of the major environmental issues due to large number of sources and diligence. The amount of heavy metals in washed and unwashed feathers of feral pigeon were investigated in this study. The feathers were collected from five distant locations: Agronomy Farm Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Jalandhar FCI (with low traffic volume and anthropogenic activities) and Cold Storage Jalandhar Bypass, Cold Storage Mullanpur, Hoshiarpur FCI (with high traffic volume and anthropogenic activities). Results revealed that metals such as Pb, Cd and Cr were deposited in feathers originating from air or soil. As was absorbed through pigeon's diet. The order of metal concentration was Jalandhar Bypass>Hoshiarpur FCI> Cold Storage Mullanpur> Jallandhar FCI> Agronomy Farm Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana which shows highest concentration due to high traffic and anthropogenic activities. Significant differences between As, Cd, Pb and Cr in washed and unwashed feathers recommend that concentrations of metals are directly related to exposure time. It is concluded that feathers of urban pigeons can be used to estimate heavy metals present in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]