Biological endpoints, enzyme activities, and blood cell parameters in two anuran tadpole species in rice agroecosystems of mid-eastern Argentina.
Different biological variables of tadpoles, including survival, development and growth rates, and biomarkers [cholinesterases, glutathione-S-transferases (GST), and blood cell morphology] were evaluated in two anuran species, Scinax squalirostris (Hylidae) and Leptodactylus mystacinus (Leptodactylidae), using in situ experimental chambers in a rice field (RF) sprayed with insecticide Lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) by aircraft in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. We found a significant decrease in body weight (0.62 ± 0.04 g) of L. mystacinus and an increased development rate of S. squalirostris in individuals from RF (41 ± 1; Gosner) with respect to individuals from the reference site (RS: 0.93 ± 0.04 g and 37 ± 0; respectively). In S. squalirostris, individuals from RF mean values of butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased at 48 (4.09 ± 0.32 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP) and 96 h (3.74 ± 0.20 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP), whereas inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was observed at 96 h (47.44 ± 2.78 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP). In L. mystacinus from RF, an induction of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed at 96 h (36.01 ± 1.09 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP). Glutathione-S-transferase levels varied between species, being higher in L. mystacinus individuals but lower in S. squalirostris from RF at 48 (272.29 ±11.78 and 71.87 ± 1.70 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP; respectively) and 96 h (279.25 ± 13.06 and 57.62 ± 4.58 nmol min-1 mg-1 of TP, respectively). Blood cell parameters revealed a lower number of mitotic cells (MC: 0.36 ± 0.31%o for S. squalirostris and 0.08 ± 0.05 %o for L. mystacinus) and higher number of eosinophils (E: 3.45 ± 1.75 %o for S. squalirostris and 7.64 ± 0.98 %o for L. mystacinus) in individuals from the RF than in individuals from the RS (MC: 2.55 ± 0.74 %o for S. squalirostris and 1.87 ± 0.72%o for L. mystacinus; and E: 0.13 ± 0.09 for S. squalirostris and 3.20 ± 0.80 for L. mystacinus). Overall, our results demonstrate the existence of apparent differences in sensitivity between species in a series of sublethal responses to short-term exposure in RF after the application of Lambda-cyhalothrin. We suggest that the integral use of biological endpoints (development and growth) together with biomarkers (cholinesterase, GST, and blood cell parameters) may be a promising integral procedure for investigating pesticide exposure in wild frog populations.
Andrés Maximiliano
AM
Attademo
Paola Mariela
PM
Peltzer
Rafael Carlos
RC
Lajmanovich
Mariana Cristina
MC
Cabagna-Zenklusen
Celina María
CM
Junges
Agustín
A
Basso
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000502:physiology*; D001118:Argentina; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000502:physiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000633:toxicity*; D012275:Oryza; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007306:Insecticides; D009570:Nitriles; D011722:Pyrethrins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; C037304:cyhalothrin