Giant toads (Rhinella marina) living in agricultural areas have altered spermatogenesis

Across diverse taxa, germ cell development is controlled by an intricate cascade of processes that are tightly controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Endocrine disturbances, such as those induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can negatively affect spermatogenesis. Here, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2017-12, Vol.609, p.1230-1237
Main Authors: McCoy, Krista A., Amato, Ciro M., Guillette, Louis J., St. Mary, Colette M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Animals
Bufo marinus - physiology
Endocrine Disruptors - toxicity
Environmental Monitoring
Giant toad
Pesticides
Reproductive abnormalities
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis - drug effects
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
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Summary:Across diverse taxa, germ cell development is controlled by an intricate cascade of processes that are tightly controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Endocrine disturbances, such as those induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can negatively affect spermatogenesis. Here, we investigate whether spermatogenesis is altered in the giant toad, Rhinella marina, living in agricultural areas where EDCs are used relative to suburban areas. We also ask if reductions in spermatogenesis were associated with developmental gonadal abnormalities (intersex) found in the same frogs. We found that toads in agricultural areas exhibited reduced spermatogenesis relative to non-agricultural animals, and that those reductions were not associated with gross gonadal abnormalities. All toads living in agricultural areas had reduced spermatogenesis relative to those living in non-agricultural areas regardless of whether they had gonadal abnormalities originating during development. Similarities in reproductive dysfunction among diverse taxa living in agricultural areas, including humans, suggest that many vertebrate taxa living in agricultural areas around the globe are likely experiencing some level of reproductive dysfunction. [Display omitted] •Agricultural pollution can be harmful to vertebrate reproduction and populations.•Toads in high agricultural areas have reduced spermatogenesis.•Independent of gonadal defects agriculture negatively impacts sperm levels.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.185