Influence of the administration of propolis and bee pollen preparation on the concentration of mercury in the muscles, kidneys and liver of white storks

Abstract

A total of ninety white storks (Ciconia ciconia) of both sexes aged over one year of life and at a body weight between 2.8 – 4.15kg were subjects for observations. They were collected from the Warmia and Masuria region, and were rehabilitees of The Wild Birds Rehabilitation Center (Bukwald, Poland). The storks formed a group of birds that had wing damage like broken bones and were unable to fly. According to the severity of the case storks underwent three different kinds of treatment. Light cases of motion disability were submitted to wing or leg stabilization with adhesive bandages (treatment I), while middle and severe cases were additionally submitted to the administration of one (treatment II) or two capsules (treatment III) of propolis and pollen bee preparation (Apipol Farma’s Propolis Plus®) for two weeks, respectively. After the convalescence period a total of twenty three white storks did not recover and were euthanized and dissected. Post mortem samples of pectoral and femoral muscles as well as liver and kidney samples were taken. Mercury concentration was analyzed and the results revealed that the level in the kidneys and liver of white storks not receiving propolis preparation were significantly higher than that of those from treatment II and III. Contrary to this, the mercury concentration recorded in the pectoral and femoral muscles of the birds of treatment II and treatment III were significantly higher than that of the treatment without propolis preparation. The results showed that propolis and pollen bee preparation can reduce the level of mercury in kidneys and liver, but has no influence on the reduction of mercury in pectoral and femoral muscles. .