ANÁLISE DE DANOS NO DNA DA AVIFAUNA POR MEIO DA ELETROFORESE EM GEL DE CÉLULA ÚNICA

Abstract

The Comet Assay is a sensitive, rapid, and easy-to-apply technique that requires a small biological sample. This assay has been used as a biomarker to assess DNA damage caused by environmental stressors in both humans and wild animals, such as birds. As one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates, birds provide a range of ecosystem services, are present almost everywhere on the planet, and contribute to trophic interactions, making them excellent bioindicators. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate global scientific studies that used the Comet Assay for avifauna biomonitoring. Fifty articles were found between 2001 and 2025, distributed across 17 countries. Most of the studies were conducted in laboratories, with domestic birds being the most frequently analyzed bird species. The effects of heavy metals and chemicals on birds were the most frequently investigated environmental stressors in the research. The comet assay design varied between studies, with blood being the primary sample analyzed. The comet assay is still rarely used in avifauna, particularly in free-ranging birds. Furthermore, there is a lack of standardization regarding the assay's application at different stages, such as lysis and electrophoresis times. Further studies using single-cell gel electrophoresis in avifauna are recommended, as it is a simple and non-invasive technique that can be applied alongside other biomarkers.