Effects of the herbicide ametryn on development and thyroidogenesis of bullfrog tadpoles (Aquarana catesbeiana) under different temperatures

Thyroid hormones (TH) are essential for the metamorphosis of amphibians and their production can be influenced by environmental stressors, such as temperature fluctuations, and exposure to aquatic pollutants, such as herbicides. In the present study we evaluated the influence of different temperatures (25 and 32 °C) on the effects of the herbicide ametryn (AMT, 0 - control, 10, 50 and 200 ng.L−1) for 16 days on thyroidogenesis of bullfrog tadpoles. Higher temperature and AMT exposure caused a delay in the development of tadpoles, despite no differences were noted in weight gain and total length of the animals. Levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were not altered neither by AMT nor by temperature, but the highest temperature caused a decrease in total area and number of follicles in the thyroid gland. Transcript levels of thyroid hormone receptors alpha and beta (TRα and TRβ) and iodothyronine deiodinase 3 (DIO3) were lower at 32 °C, which is consistent with developmental delay at the higher temperature. Tadpoles exposed to 200 ng.L−1 of AMT at 25 °C also presented delayed development, which was consistent with lower TRα and DIO3 transcript levels. Lower levels of estradiol were noted in tadpoles exposed to AMT at the higher temperature, being also possibly related to a developmental delay. This study demonstrates that higher temperature and AMT exposure impair thyroidgenesis in bullfrog tadpoles, disrupting metamorphosis. [Display omitted] •Ametryn (AMT) and higher temperature caused delayed tadpole development.•AMT and higher temperature altered thyroid gland morphology.•AMT and higher temperature downregulated TRα, TRβ and DIO3.•AMT and higher temperature decreased plasmatic estrogen levels.