Effects of cypermethrin (pyrethroid), glyphosate and chlorpyrifos (organophosphorus) on the endocrine and immune system of Salvator merianae (Argentine tegu).

ANA PAULA MESTRE; PATRICIA AMAVET; AGUSTÍN IVÁN VANZETTI; MARÍA SOLEDAD MOLEÓN; MARÍA VIRGINIA PARACHÚ MARCÓ; GISELA LAURA POLETTA; PABLO ARIEL SIROSKI

ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018 p. 61 - 67

0147-6513

Several areas of Salvator merianae geographic distribution are in the proximity of regions with high agricultural activity and are directly exposed to pesticide formulations in Argentina. To assess the potential effects of cypermethrin (25%), glyphosate (66.2%) and chlorpyrifos (48%) on the immune and endocrine responses of S. merianae, parameters such as total (TWBCC) and differential (DWBCC) white blood cells count, heterophils/lymphocytes index (H/L), lobularity index (LI), natural antibodies (NAbs) titres, complement system (CS), corticosterone levels and body size, were analyzed in animals exposed to a mixture of these pesticide formulations. TWBCC and NAbs revealed low values in organisms exposed to pesticides, indicating immunosuppression. In addition, the LI showed higher numbers of lobes in organism exposed, demonstrating an unfavorable moment or symptoms of chronic infection. Besides, we observed a lower growth in these animals, which could be related to a lower energy investment in body mass due to consumption intended for the defense of the organisms to toxic exposure. Finally, we found higher levels of corticosterone in animals exposed, which could reveal a regulatory function. Unlike these parameters, the DWBCC, H/L index and activity of the CS showed no differences among treatments, which could indicate low sensibility of these parameters to the low concentration of pesticides used. Our results provide evidence of the toxic effects of pesticides on different immune system parameters, but also a trade-off between these parameters, corticosterone levels and growth. In this way, we can conclude that the formulated pesticides applied widely and constantly in the areas occupied by S. merianae, would be affecting its immune and endocrine systems and therefore its ability to defend against foreign agents. This kind of studies are of great interest to know the possible responses of wild species to anthropogenic disturbances such as pesticide contamination.