Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT) is widely used in various commercial applications due to its biocidal properties. Toxicological and genotoxicological data on TBT exposure to amphibians is insufficient. Our study aimed to determine the acute toxicity and genotoxic potential of TBT in Fejervarya limnocharis tadpoles. Furthermore, oxidative stress was also investigated in TBT-treated tadpoles. Tadpoles of Gosner stage (26–30) were screened and subjected to increasing concentrations of TBT (0, 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23 µg/L) for determining the LC50 values for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h. LC50 values of TBT for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h were found to be 19.45, 15.07, 13.12, and 11.84 μg/L respectively. Based on the 96 h LC50 value (11.84 µg/L), tadpoles were exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of TBT for the evaluation of its genotoxic potential and effects on oxidative balance. The role of TBT on survivability, growth, and time to metamorphosis was also assessed. TBT exposure significantly altered the life history traits measured, increased mortality, and delayed the time taken to metamorphosis. Results indicated significant induction of micronucleus (MN, p < 0.001) and other erythrocytic nuclear aberrations (ENA, p < 0.01) in the TBT-treated groups. Significant alterations in comet parameters and oxidative balance were also observed in the treated groups. The present study findings might add to the cause of the gradual population decline seen in the amphibians. This study also demonstrates the alteration of the life-history traits, oxidative balance, and DNA damage upon TBT exposure which can have long-term consequences for the anuran amphibian F. limnocharis.
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Data will be made available on reasonable request.
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Abhijit Mandal sincerely acknowledges the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India for Senior Research Fellowship (Sanction letter no. 09/747(0014)/2018-EMR-I).
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Abhijit Mandal: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data analysis, Original draft preparation; Sarbani Giri: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing and reviewing the manuscript, Overall supervision and Anirudha Giri: Methodology, Review and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Mandal, A., Giri, S. & Giri, A. Assessment of toxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in Fejervarya limnocharis exposed to tributyltin. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 14938–14948 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32220-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32220-5