Monitoring of wild populations of native reptile species under environmental stress produced by pesticides

POLETTA, GISELA L.; SIROSKI, PABLO A.; MUDRY, MARTA D.

Chascomús, Buenos Aires

Jornada; XVI Jornadas Anuales de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

The effects of pesticides on health include a wide range of damages. Among them, genotoxicity and oxidative stress (OS) are considered biologically relevant and highly informative as early warnings of the impacts on natural populations. The aim of this work is to evaluate the environmental situation of wild populations of two native reptile species living in areas highly exposed to pesticides in the central-east region of Argentina. We use biomarkers of: 1) genotoxicity: Comet assay (CA) and Micronucleus test, 2) OS damage to DNA by the CA modified with FPG and ENDO III enzymes, 3) OS damage to lipids by TBARS, and 4) antioxidant defense capacity by Catalase and Superoxide dismutase. Samples from broad-snouted caiman and tegu lizard (hatchlings and adults) were taken from areas highly exposed to pesticides and from a control area, and the techniques applied as previously adapted for these species by our group. Animals from the exposed regions showed genotoxicity, oxidation to DNA, lipid peroxidation and alteration in antioxidant enzymes, in comparison with controls. This study demonstrate the worrying effects that pesticides may cause at different levels on native reptile species environmentally exposed, giving more information on the possible mechanisms concerning pesticide toxicity on wildlife.