Response of amphibians to the presence of lead ions in water

Bibliogr. s. 52-55

A contamination of the natural environment is the main problem of the contemporary world. Heavy metal ions are environmentally persistent toxins. A lead-related pathologies (including neurological, hematological, reproductive, circulatory, and immunological pathologies) are the direct result of the oxidative effect of the lead on tissues and cellular components and the generation of reactive oxygen species that decrease level of the available sulfhydryl groups, the antioxidant reserves, can cause nucleic acids damage and initiate lipid peroxidation in cellular membrane. Through binding to thiol groups of allosteric proteins, lead ions can provoke allosteric transition between active and inactive forms. The exposure to heavy metal ions is a direct factor in high mortality rate among amphibians. These animals can become indicators of environmental pollution. The main aim of this paper is to review and summarize the results of performed studies concerning physiological, biochemical and immunological changes in anuran amphibians exposed to the effects of lead ions.