Heat shock proteins and antioxidants as mechanisms of response to ivermectin in the dung beetle Euoniticellus intermedius. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villada-Bedoya, Sebastián; Chávez-Ríos, Jesús Ramsés; Montoya, Bibiana; Castelán, Francisco; Córdoba-Aguilar, Alex; Escobar, Federico; González-Tokman, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 269(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Hsp70 -- Ivermectin -- Metabolic rate -- Oxidative damage -- Stress response -- Total antioxidant capacity; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Ivermectin is the most common antiparasitic drug used in livestock in many regions of the world. Its residues are excreted in dung, threatening non-target fauna such as dung beetles, fundamental for cleaning dung in pastures. However, it is unclear which are the physiological mechanisms used by dung beetles to cope with ivermectin. Here we evaluated experimentally the physiological responses of the dung beetle Euoniticellus intermedius to ivermectin-induced stress. We measured metabolic rates, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage in lipids in both males and females exposed to a sublethal dose. Compared to control beetles, ivermectin-treated males and females had increased metabolic rates. Moreover, ivermectin-treated females increased their expression of Hsp70 whereas males increased their antioxidant capacity. No changes in the levels of oxidative damage to lipids were detected for either sex, suggesting a process of hormesis, such that exposure to a moderate concentration of ivermectin could stimulate the action of a protective mechanism against oxidative stress, that differs between sexes. However, it does not exclude the possibility that damage to other biomolecules might have occurred. Sexual differences in physiological responses can be interpreted as the result of hormonal differences or life-history trade-offs that favor different mechanisms in females and males. Hsps and antioxidants are involved in the physiological response of beetles to ivermectin and may be key in providing resistance to this contaminant in target and non-target species, including dung beetles. Highlights: F0B7 Ivermectin increases metabolic rate in dung beetles. F0B7 In response to ivermectin, females use heat shock proteins and males use antioxidants. F0B7 Such mechanisms avoid oxidative damage potentially caused by ivermectin. F0B7 Hormesis might be responsible for dung beetle protective responses to ivermectin.