Wildlife toxicology: emerging contaminants

During the course, information will be provided on the toxicological effects of emerging contaminants, such as Endocrine Disruptors (EDs), on wild fauna. The origin of these substances is to be attributed to the massive use of pesticides, to extraordinary events such as oil product spills at sea and many other human activities, therefore we will also address issues of wildlife toxicology related to the use of veterinary drugs in breeding practices. A laboratory practise, about the analysis for the detection of a molecule belonging to the EDs in biological matrices, and a visit to an official laboratory of toxicological analyses are provided

The course aims to provide students with a general knowledge of wildlife toxicology issues, also in relation to a broader concept of ecotoxicology, with particular reference to issues related to anthropic activities. Since the toxicological studies of wildlife often make use of animal intoxication phenomena and therefore are conducted ex post facto, at the end of the course , through practises, the students will also have a picture of the analytical methods on animal tissues coming from wild animals and on the organization of a laboratory of toxicological analysis from screening to mass spectrometry analysis