Meeting Abstract

P3.75  Jan. 6  Effects of ammonium perchlorate on muscle performance and development in the Southern leopard frog, Rana utricularia MALONEY, Maureen L*; PROPPER, Catherine ; NISHIKAWA, Kiisa; Northern Arizona University maureen.maloney@nau.edu

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thyroid hormone disruption on muscle performance and development, specifically using the chemical perchlorate. Perchlorate is a manufactured chemical used in fertilizers, and as the primary ingredient of solid rocket propellant. It is known to disrupt the formation of thyroid hormone, and the presence of perchlorate in ground water has been confirmed in at least 25 states. Thyroid hormone plays a critical role in muscle, bone, and nervous tissue development, as well as many other physiological processes. No research has examined the effects of perchlorate on muscle development and performance, a function key to the survival of any animal. In order to determine the effects of perchlorate on these parameters we exposed Southern leopard frogs, Rana utricularia tadpoles to 0, 1.8 ppb, or 5.9 ppb ammonium perchlorate during Gosner Stages (26-36). These doses are environmentally relevant As the low dose is considered a safe dose by the EPA, while the 5.9ppb has been found in ground water in certain areas of the US. Results demonstrate that the low dose of ammonium perchlorate had significant effects on both time to forelimb emergence ( P = 0.0134) and feeding attempts (P= 0.0413), while the high dose did not have any significant effects. These results indicate that exposure to low doses of perchlorate in the environment could potentially have adverse effects on amphibian development and performance. Future directions include kinematic measurements of jumping and feeding behaviors, measurements of muscle contractility, and muscle fiber typing.