Bird health and sperm quality in relation to environmental levels of neonicotinoids

Abstract

Neonicotinoids pesticides are commonly used in agriculture. They are administered mainly prophylactically as seed coating, but can also be sprayed in some cultures. Several characteristics of these molecules make them prone to be transported from the field of application to the surrounding areas. As a consequence, neonicotinoid insecticides represent an environmental risk to non-treated land with potential consequences for non-target species. In this context, we visited 62 farms over the Swiss lowland agricultural area managed under three types of agricultural practices: conventional, integrated production called “IP-Suisse” and organic. We collected soil and vegetation samples in cultivated fields as well as in ecological focus areas (EFAs). Additionally, we captured between 5 and 20 house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in each visited farms, with the aim to examined whether neonicotinoid concentrations in soils and plants are related to indices of the birds’ health (body mass, blood and sperm redox status, sperm quality) and/or neonicotinoid concentrations in the birds’ plumage.