Genetic, enzymatic and developmental alterations in Caiman latirostris exposed to pesticide formulations and mixtures in a field-like experiment

G.L. POLETTA, E. KLEINSORGE, M.D. MUDRY, A. LARRIERA, P.A. SIROSKI

Manaos, Brasil

Congreso; 20th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group, IUCN-SSC; 2010

Crocodile Specialist Group (SSC-IUCN)

In a previous study we demonstrated genotoxic effects induced by pesticide formulations and mixtures in Caiman latirostris exposed in ovo in a field-like experiment simulating a possible environmental exposure in areas situated near crops. The aim of the present study was to confirm genotoxic results and characterize potencial enzymatic, metabolic and posnatal development alterations under the same exposure conditions. We design a semi-controlled experiment in which 3 groups of 3 artificial nest each (N=9) were contructed. We put eggs inside and the area was sprayed in two different moment of incubation as follow: a- control group: sprayed with tap water, b- treatment 1 (T1): received glyphosate formulation (GF; herbicide) in two applications, c- treatment 2 (T2): was sprayed with GF (herbicide) in the first application and a pesticide mixture of GF and two insecticides: endosulfan and cypermethrin, in the second application. Hatchlings were measured in body mass, SVL and TL and bled for genotoxic assays. At 3 and 12 months old, caimans were measured again to evaluated growth and blood samples were obtained to perform enzymatic and metabolic determinations: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatin kinase (CK-NAC), Cholinesterase (ChE), Total Protein (TP)  and Serum Albumin (ALB). Results indicated genotoxic effects with both assays (MN test and CA) (p< 0,001), less size, and alterations in CK, AST, ALT and TP (p< 0,05) in exposed groups compared to control, at birth and 3 month old. No effects was observed at 12 months old. These results confirm our previous data on genotoxic effects of both GF and herbicide-insecticides mixture at concentrations commonly used in agriculture, and demosntrated that after several months of the exposure event, animals still show enzymatic and metabolic alterations as well as less growth.