Animals (Mar 2021)

Effects of Desiccation on Metamorphic Climax in <i>Bombina variegata</i>: Changes in Levels and Patterns of Oxidative Stress Parameters

  • Tamara G. Petrović,
  • Ana Kijanović,
  • Nataša Kolarov Tomašević,
  • Jelena P. Gavrić,
  • Svetlana G. Despotović,
  • Branka R. Gavrilović,
  • Tijana B. Radovanović,
  • Tanja Vukov,
  • Caterina Faggio,
  • Marko D. Prokić

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040953
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 4
p. 953

Abstract

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In this paper, we examined how the oxidative status (antioxidant system and oxidative damage) of Bombina variegata larvae changed during the metamorphic climax (Gosner stages: 42—beginning, 44—middle and 46—end) and compared the patterns and levels of oxidative stress parameters between individuals developing under constant water availability (control) and those developing under decreasing water availability (desiccation group). Our results revealed that larvae developing under decreasing water availability exhibited increased oxidative damage in the middle and end stages. This was followed by lower levels of glutathione in stages 44 and 46, as well as lower values of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and sulfhydryl groups in stage 46 (all in relation to control animals). Comparison between stages 42, 44 and 46 within treatments showed that individuals in the last stage demonstrated the highest intensities of lipid oxidative damage in both the control and desiccation groups. As for the parameters of the antioxidant system, control individuals displayed greater variety in response to changes induced by metamorphic climax than individuals exposed to desiccation treatment. The overall decrease in water availability during development led to increased oxidative stress and modifications in the pattern of AOS response to changes induced by metamorphic climax in larvae of B. variegata.

Keywords