Variation of brain and serum cholinesterase activity with age in wild small mammals

The use of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides can result in exposure of non-target vertebrates, such as small mammals. Determination of the degree to which cholinesterase (ChE) activity has been inhibited by these compounds requires good baseline knowledge of the normal activity levels. Result...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 1996-04, Vol.56 (4), p.604-611
Main Authors: FISHWICK, S. K, SHORE, R. F, TURK, A, SPARKS, T. H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging - metabolism
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Animals, Wild
Applied ecology
Arvicolinae
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers
Brain - enzymology
Carbamates
Cholinesterase Inhibitors - metabolism
Cholinesterase Inhibitors - toxicity
Cholinesterases - blood
Cholinesterases - metabolism
Colorimetry
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insecticides - metabolism
Insecticides - toxicity
Male
Mammalia
Muridae
Organophosphorus Compounds
Reference Standards
Regression Analysis
Species Specificity
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
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Summary:The use of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides can result in exposure of non-target vertebrates, such as small mammals. Determination of the degree to which cholinesterase (ChE) activity has been inhibited by these compounds requires good baseline knowledge of the normal activity levels. Results are presented from a study that assessed whether age affects normal brain and serum ChE activity in the wood mouse and the field vole. Activities were measured in 105 captive-bred wood mice and in 13 captive-bred field voles of known age. Results indicated that the brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of male and female wood mice increased 2 3-fold during the first few weeks of life, rose to an average maximum of 12 13 mu moles/min/g when mice were 7 10 weeks old, and then appeared to decrease to a steady-state level. Brain AChE activity in field voles appeared to vary with age in a pattern similar to that in wood mice. However, peak brain AChE activity in field voles occurred at 20 rather than 7 10 weeks of age, and a steady-state activity occurred when animals were approximately 80 weeks old. Serum ChE activity appeared to vary little with age.
ISSN:0007-4861
1432-0800
DOI:10.1007/s001289900087