Biochemical biomarkers in Scinax fuscovarius tadpoles exposed to a commercial formulation of the pesticide fipronil

Author(s)

Stefani Margarido, Tatiana Cristina ; Felicio, Andreia Arantes ; Rossa-Feres, Denise de Cerqueira ; de Almeida, Eduardo Alves

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH; v. 91, p. 7-pg., 2013-10-01.

Abstract

One of the main pesticides used in the cultivation of sugarcane in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, is Regent (R) 800WG, the main active compound of which is fipronil. Fipronil is a potent insecticide that eliminates pests, including insects resistant to pyrethroids, organophosphates (OP) and carbamates (CA). There is little known on the toxic effects of fipronil on non-target organisms, such as tadpoles of frogs. It is possible that this compound carries a high toxicity for these organisms, since the pesticide can be incorporated into aquatic environments during the rainy season, a time which coincides with the time of amphibian reproduction and the occurrence of tadpoles in the aquatic environment in this region. Thus, the pesticide could be contributing to the decline of amphibians in the northwest region of Sao Paulo state due to its wide use. This study aimed to test the influence of Regent (R) 800WG on some biochemical systems of tadpoles (such as antioxidant defense systems) at different stages of development. The results of analysis from in vivo exposures demonstrated that only a few parameters in the groups exposed to fipronil responded to exposure to Regent (R) 800WG, results which indicate that the pesticide instigates biochemical responses in tadpoles. Although catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were unchanged during the experiments, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was inhibited in tadpoles, and the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) varied according to the exposure period and pesticide concentration. This data demonstrated the influence of the fipronil formulation on the metabolism of tadpoles, and showed that it can increase their susceptibility to environmental contaminants. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/12636-1 - Evaluation of biochemical biomarkers in anuran tadpoles exposed to the pesticide RegentGW800
• Grantee: Tatiana Cristina Stefani Margarido
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/52321-7 - Diversity and ecology of tadpoles from Central Amazonia
• Grantee: Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/58032-7 - Petrodiesel vs. biodiesel: a comparative study on their toxic effects in Nile tilapia and armoured catfishes
• Grantee: Eduardo Alves de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants