Abstract :
An investigation on the toxicological effects of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on tadpoles,
Polypedates maculatus in terms of growth, metamorphosis and innate immunity was done. Tadpoles other than
those in the control (C) group,were exposed to three different concentrations of ZnO NPs viz., 50 mg/L (T1), 10
mg/L (T2), 1 mg/L (T3) for a period of 60 days. It was found that, tadpoles in T1 and T2 groups recorded 25%
mortality upto45 days of experimental period,whereas 50% mortality was recorded in T1 group exposed to 60
days, no mortality was observed in T3 (1 mg/L). Moreover, tadpoles exposed to ZnO NPs at 50 and 10mg/L were
found to have stunted growth and delayed metamorphosis in comparison to those exposed to 1 and 0 mg/L. The
non-specific immune parameters such as myeloperoxidase, respiratory burst, lysozyme, bacterial agglutination and
hemagglutination activities were found to vary drastically in treated group as compared to the control. The serum
enzymatic activities such as acetyl choline (AChE), super oxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) varied in proportion to the doses of ZnO NPs applied. Thus, the ZnO NPs had significant
(p10 mg/L) for longer durations (>45 days). The toxicity
studies of ZnO NPs should, therefore be conducted on a wider range of target and non-target species to assess their
environmental impacts.
Keyword :
ZnO NPs, Innate immunity, Enzymes, Polypedates maculatus