Effects of high temperature on visceral pigmentation and male germinative epithelium in Physalaemus nattereri and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura)

Author(s)

Gabriela Baroni Leite

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São José do Rio Preto. 2016-03-15.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas. São José do Rio Preto
• Defense date: 2016-02-22
• Advisor: Lilian Franco Belussi; Classius de Oliveira

Abstract

Temperature alters homeostasis of frogs, and can causes amphibians' decline. Physalaemus nattereri and Leptodactylus fuscus are representatives of Leptodactylidae Family, and their testes presents germ cells lineagen. In P. nattereri, melanocytes are observed in testes, but in L. fuscus these cells are not found. Melanocytes posses melanina in their cytoplasm. This pigmented cell are plastic and responsive to environmental stressor. Anurans also have melanomacrophages present in hematopoietic organs such as liver, and posses in their cytoplasm melanin, haemosiderin and lipofuscin. Erythrocyte frogs are nucleated and changes suggest genotoxic effects. High temperatures affect the survival of frogs, making them more susceptible to morphological changes. In this context, we evaluate hepatotoxic effects, genotoxic and changes in the volume of testicular germ cells and melanocytes in two frog species subject to 35.1 ° C. For this, we exposed animals for 12hours, one, two, three, five, 10 and 15 days in high temperature. After experimental times, we analyzed liver, testes and erithocytes. P. nattereri has more changes in liver pigments than L. fuscus. We believe that this alterations is due P. nattereri’s reproduction are short. Genotoxic effects were similar among the species suggesting that temperature damages the DNA of anurans. However, the effects in the testes were the inverse, with the spermatogenic cells of L. fuscus being more affected than that from P. natterreri. This may possibly be due to the absence of melanocytes in L. fuscus, once that in P. nattereri they gradually increased over time and possibly had a protective role in the tissue. Thus, the influence of hyperthermia in anurans is demonstrated in this study stating that the intensity of the impact is determined by interspecific biology. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/16900-3 - Effects of high temperature on visceral pigmentation and male germinative epithelium in Eupemphix nattereri and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura)
• Grantee: Gabriela Baroni Leite
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master