Plasma B-esterases and Glutathione S-transferase activities in the toad Chaunus schneideri (Amphibia, Anura) inhabiting rice agroecosystems of Argentina.

ATTADEMO A. M.; PELTZER P.M.; LAJMANOVICH R; CABAGNA M.; FIORENZA G

Ecotoxicology

Springer

Año: 2007 vol. 16 p. 533 - 539

0963-9292

Abstract B-esterase (BChE: butyrylcholinesterase andCbE: carboxylesterase) and glutathione S-transferase(GST) activity were measured in the plasma of Chaunusschneideri collected in rice fields and surrounding environmentsand in a reference pristine forest. The chemicalcriterion based on in-vitro reactivation of BChE activityusing pyridine-2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) wasalso determined. Mean values of plasma BchE, CbE, andGST activity for samples from agricultural areas weredifferent from those for samples from pristine forest.Plasma samples from the two agricultural areas showedpositive reactivation of BChE activity after incubation with2-PAM. Based on our experimental evidence we suggestB-esterases and gluthatione S-transferases can be used infield monitoring as biomarkers of exposure of wildlife topesticides, because the analysis in non-destructive and issensitive to anti-ChE agrochemicals. Chemical reactivationof BChE is also a complementary method for assessing theeffects of pesticides on toads inhabiting rice fields. Furtherstudies are urgently needed to investigate adverse effects ofmassive exposure to pesticides experienced by nativepopulations of anurans.