Biochemical targets of xenobiotics: Biomarkers in amphibian ecotoxicology

Authors: Venturino, Andrés; Pechen de D'Angelo, Ana María

Source: Applied Herpetology, Volume 2, Number 3, 2005 , pp. 335-353(19)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Biochemical biomarkers respond to a variety of environmental stresses, in particular to xenobiotic contamination. Their use in amphibian ecotoxicology has been scarce, and only in recent years have they been applied in a few cases of environmental monitoring. The best described biomarkers of xenobiotic effect in anurans are: the Cytochrome P450 enzymes which are induced in Phase I detoxification by a broad range of compounds; glutathione depletion and glutathione-S-Transferase induction by oxidative stress; vitellogenin induction by xenoestrogenic compounds causing feminization; acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase inactivation or inhibition by exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate compounds; and metallothioneins induced by exposure to toxic metals. As for other aquatic organisms, the integrated use of biochemical biomarkers seems the viable option for amphibian exposure and risk evaluations.

Keywords: BIOCHEMICAL BIOMARKERS; ENDOCRINE DISRUPTERS; ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING; FROG; PESTICIDES; RISK ASSESSMENT; TOAD; TOXIC METALS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1570754054507433

Publication date: 2005-08-01