Realistic Scenarios of Pesticide Exposure Alters Multiple Biomarkers in Boana Pulchella (Anura) Adult Frogs

Imazethapyr, a post-emergent herbicide used in worldwide soybean and corn crops, induces genetic and biochemical alterations in aquatic vertebrates. This study examined relationship between biomarkers at different organization levels and imazethapyr real-life route exposure in Boana pulchella adults. Frogs were exposed to imazethapyr-based formulation Pivot® H (10.59%) at concentrations representing possible acute routes: field runoff (S1:10 mg.L − 1 ), direct foliar application with posterior frog presence (S2:100 mg.L − 1 ) and with frog presence (S3:1000 mg.L − 1 ). Post-exposure, endpoints levels were evaluated: organism alterations, biochemical activities and cytogenetic assays. Forty-eight hours post-exposure, antioxidant enzymes decrease, micronuclei induction and DNA damage were observed in all scenarios; while cholinesterase activity increase and body condition reduction were observed in frog-exposed to S3. Ninety-six hours post-exposure, frogs showed glutathione-S-transferase inhibition in S1, micronuclei induction in S2 and S3, and DNA-damage increase in S3. Herbicides routes of exposures in real-life could indicate that authorized applications have a risk to frogs populations.