Testicular morphometric changes in neotropical anurans from agroecosystems

Author(s)

Rezende, Wadson Rodrigues ^[1] ; de Souza Santos, Lia Raquel ^[2] ; Franco-Belussi, Lilian ^[3] ; De Oliveira, Classius ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Anat Comparada, Campus Sao Jose do Rio Preto IBILCE UNESP, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

^[2] Inst Fed Goiano, Lab Ecotoxicol & Sistemat Anim EcotoxSA, Campus Rio Verde GO IF Goiano, Rio Verde - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Inst Biociencias INBIO, Lab Patol Expt, Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Pollution; v. 271, FEB 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

One of the causes of the global decline of amphibians is agricultural activity, responsible for causing habitat fragmentation and bringing a range of agrochemicals and fertilizers in the environment, compounds with a potential disrupting effect on non-target organisms, such as frogs. Exposure to these compounds has numerous harmful effects on the testes of these animals, which can compromise reproduction and, consequently, the maintenance of their communities. In this context, we compared the morphology and morphometry of the testes of three species of neotropical anurans (Physalaemus cuvieri, Dendropsophus minutus, and Boana albopunctata) from an agricultural area and a conservation unit. Histologically, the testicular morphology of the species was similar for both environments; however, morphometrically, there was a difference in the measured testicular parameters (locular area and area of spermatogenic cysts). Physalaemus cuvieri presented higher averages of locular and spermatogonial area in the agricultural environment, whereas the area occupied by the spermatozoa was smaller. Additionally, the testicular pigmentation, which is only present in this species, was greater in animal from the agricultural area. In D. minutus, the locular, spermatogonial, and sperm areas showed lower values in the agricultural area, whereas in B. albopunctata, the opposite pattern was found, with the area of the locule, spermatocytes, and spermatozoids being higher. Agricultural activities influence the testicular metric parameters in different species, and our results suggest that D. minutus is most sensitive to anthropic pressures. The least sensitive species is B. albopunctata. We highlight the importance of evaluating different species, since each species responds differently to agricultural activities. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/01078-7 - The liver of anuran amphibians: morphology compared between 10 species and action of benzopyrene in the melanomacrophages of Physalaemus cuvieri
• Grantee: Classius de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/12006-9 - The influence of environmental contaminants (cyproterone acetate and nonylphenol) and abiotic factors (temperature and UV radiation) in the internal Melanin in anurans
• Grantee: Classius de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants