Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy
The study was conducted in the province of Guayas, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. The researchers analysed blood samples from 30 horses of different breeds (purebred, pony and mixed breeds) to detect the presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs). Blood smear and scanning elec...
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Universidad del Zulia
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43788 |
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| author | Israel Culcay-Troncozo Darwin Yánez-Avalos Johana Delgado-Lozada Miltón Montalvo-Lozada Raul Díaz-Albuja Pablo Marini |
| author_facet | Israel Culcay-Troncozo Darwin Yánez-Avalos Johana Delgado-Lozada Miltón Montalvo-Lozada Raul Díaz-Albuja Pablo Marini |
| author_sort | Israel Culcay-Troncozo |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The study was conducted in the province of Guayas, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. The researchers analysed blood samples from 30 horses of different breeds (purebred, pony and mixed breeds) to detect the presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs). Blood smear and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to identify and quantify plastic particles in randomly selected animals aged between 2 and 12 years, with a body weight (BW) between 100 and 380 kg and a body condition score (BCS) between 5 and 6 (on a scale of 1 to 9), fed on natural grass and balanced supplements. The results did not show the presence of MPs, but NPs were identified in the blood smear of all animals, with an average of 51 particles per field of 1700 square microns (µm²) at a depth of 5 micrometres (µm) and an average size of 426.33 nanometres (nm). No significant difference was found in the number or size of NP particles between the sexes (females and males) (P=0.288); a greater presence of NPs was observed in younger horses (P<0.040). The pure-blood breed had a larger size of plastic particles (P < 0.020) and the crossbreeds had a greater amount of NP particles (P < 0.010) compared to other breeds. The research concludes that NPs are present in equine blood, highlighting the ability of these contaminants to enter the body and potentially cause adverse health effects. In particular, younger animals showed a higher presence of NPs in blood, suggesting that the effects of exposure may be more severe in the early stages of life.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97483d7ef1f646ecaa7996bf28484ebc |
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| issn | 0798-2259 2521-9715 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Universidad del Zulia |
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| series | Revista Científica |
| spelling | doaj-art-97483d7ef1f646ecaa7996bf28484ebc2025-08-20T02:09:00ZengUniversidad del ZuliaRevista Científica0798-22592521-97152025-04-0135210.52973/rcfcv-e35587Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron MicroscopyIsrael Culcay-Troncozo0Darwin Yánez-Avalos1Johana Delgado-Lozada2Miltón Montalvo-Lozada 3Raul Díaz-Albuja4Pablo Marini5University of Guayaquil – Faculty of Veterinary Medicina and Zootechnics – Ecuador.Fauna, Conservation and Global Health Research Group-Amazon Regional University, Muyuna Parish, Tena, Ecuador.Fauna, Conservation and Global Health Research Group-Amazon Regional University, Muyuna Parish, Tena, Ecuador.Fauna, Conservation and Global Health Research Group-Amazon Regional University, Muyuna Parish, Tena, Ecuador.Army Production and Supply Unit (REMONTA); Pichincha - Ecuador.National University of Rosario, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences – Argentina. The study was conducted in the province of Guayas, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. The researchers analysed blood samples from 30 horses of different breeds (purebred, pony and mixed breeds) to detect the presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs). Blood smear and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to identify and quantify plastic particles in randomly selected animals aged between 2 and 12 years, with a body weight (BW) between 100 and 380 kg and a body condition score (BCS) between 5 and 6 (on a scale of 1 to 9), fed on natural grass and balanced supplements. The results did not show the presence of MPs, but NPs were identified in the blood smear of all animals, with an average of 51 particles per field of 1700 square microns (µm²) at a depth of 5 micrometres (µm) and an average size of 426.33 nanometres (nm). No significant difference was found in the number or size of NP particles between the sexes (females and males) (P=0.288); a greater presence of NPs was observed in younger horses (P<0.040). The pure-blood breed had a larger size of plastic particles (P < 0.020) and the crossbreeds had a greater amount of NP particles (P < 0.010) compared to other breeds. The research concludes that NPs are present in equine blood, highlighting the ability of these contaminants to enter the body and potentially cause adverse health effects. In particular, younger animals showed a higher presence of NPs in blood, suggesting that the effects of exposure may be more severe in the early stages of life. https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43788Plastic particlesyoung animalsscanning electron microscopy |
| spellingShingle | Israel Culcay-Troncozo Darwin Yánez-Avalos Johana Delgado-Lozada Miltón Montalvo-Lozada Raul Díaz-Albuja Pablo Marini Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy Revista Científica Plastic particles young animals scanning electron microscopy |
| title | Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy |
| title_full | Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy |
| title_fullStr | Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy |
| title_short | Detection of plastics particles in equine blood by Scanning Electron Microscopy |
| title_sort | detection of plastics particles in equine blood by scanning electron microscopy |
| topic | Plastic particles young animals scanning electron microscopy |
| url | https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43788 |
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