Adelie penguin liver P450 enzymes

Animlas can be harmed by artificially introduced chemicals either through the food chain or directly. This study aimed to determine how penguins detoxify chemical pollutants they may be exposed to. Liver samples were collected from Adelie penguins from Cape Bird, Cape Royds and Cape Crozier, both adults (10) and chicks (20). The samples were analysed for liver enzymes with the aim to characterize different P450 enzymes involved in biotransformation and detoxification of chemical pollutants. The aim is to determine the susceptibility of Antarctic penguins to environmental chemicals.