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Sublethal doses of fipronil intensify synapsin immunostaining in Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) brains
Author(s) -
CintraSocolowski Priscila,
Roat Thaisa C,
Nocelli Roberta CF,
Nunes Pablo H,
Ferreira Rafael AC,
Malaspina Osmar,
Bueno Odair C
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.4065
Subject(s) - fipronil , synapsin , synapsin i , biology , mushroom bodies , toxicology , immunostaining , hemolymph , pesticide , pharmacology , biochemistry , immunology , ecology , synaptic vesicle , immunohistochemistry , drosophila melanogaster , vesicle , gene , membrane
BACKGROUND Although ants are common insects in agricultural ecosystems, few studies have considered how xenobiotics might induce physiological and morphological alterations in these insects. This study aimed to verify the neurotoxic action of sublethal doses of fipronil on the mushroom bodies of brains from the leaf‐cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa through immunocytochemistry analysis for the protein synapsin. RESULTS The LD 50 value was established as 1.42 ng ant −1 , and the sublethal doses used were LD 50 /10 and LD 50 /100 . Synapsin labelling was more evident in the brains extracted from ants exposed to the insecticide, specifically in the regions of glia in the mushroom bodies, compared with the control group. It was possible to measure the intensity of emitted fluorescence in the areas of the mushroom bodies, and a statistical test showed differences between the control group and the treatment group. CONCLUSION Thus, it is concluded that sublethal doses of the insecticide fipronil intensified synapsin immunostaining, suggesting an increased release of neurotransmitters, which may be linked to neurotoxicity and overexcitation. These sublethal doses may have two different effects: compromising the operation and maintenance of the colony and leading to the establishment of resistance in insects. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry