Total and differential white blood cells count in Caiman latirostris after in ovo and in vivo exposure to insecticides

LATORRE, MA. AGUSTINA; LARRIERA, ALEJANDRO; POLETTA, GISELA L.; SIROSKI, PABLO A.

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Congreso; 23rd Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group (SSC-IUCN); 2014

Crocodile Specialist Group and McNease State University

Agricultural activities associated mainly to soybean cultures affect natural environment, including wildlife, by habitat destruction and the extensive use of agrochemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunotoxic effect of Cypermethrin and Endosulfan insecticides in C. latirostris, analyzing total (TWBC) and differential white blood cell count (DWBC) after in ovo and in vivo exposure. Eggs (in ovo) and hatchlings (in vivo) from nests harvested in natural habitats were artificially incubated and reared under controlled conditions in the Proyecto Yacaré (Gob. Santa Fe /MUPCN) facilities. Exposure of embryos were performed by topicacion on the eggshell during the first stage of development. The treatments were: negative control (NC), vehicle control (VC), positive control (PC), 4 groups treated with different concentrations of cypermethrin (CIP) and 4 with endosulfan (END). The in vivo exposure was performed by immersion, and the treatments were: a NC, a VC, 2 groups exposed to CIP and 2 to END. After embryonic exposure to insecticides, no differences were found in TWBC or DWBC between exposed and controls hatchlings.The same was observed for TWBC in yearlings after a subchronic exposure during two months, but DWBC showed differences between NC and CIP1 for heterophils, lymphocytes and monocytes; and between CN and END1 for lymphocytes and monocytes. The results indicate that excessive use of these insecticides may alter some aspects of the immune response of C. latirostris, especially in neonates and juveniles, increasing their susceptibility to certain infections and compromising their ability to respond to challenging factors