Influence of pesticides in reproductive aspects of Tropidurus torquatus in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Intense agricultural activity in recent years has resulted in a greater use of pesticides in order to improve productivity. However, these pesticides may contain some pollutant component in their composition. Once present in the environment and/or in excess, they can cause damage to the local flora and fauna. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interference of pesticides in the reproductive aspects of male and female specimens collected in two distinct sampling sites and propose a methodology to investigate pesticide effects associated with the reproduction at a macroscopic level for reptile specimens from zoological collection. The results showed that males located in the area with the use of agricultural pesticides had a lower testicle volume compared with the ones located in the area that did not use pesticides. However, no difference was found regarding the volume of eggs compared at the same stage and the average clutch size of each population. Therefore, the present study indicates the analyzed pesticides might influence the reproduction of the studied males. Despite no evident alterations in egg volume and quantity in the area with pesticide use, our findings suggest further studies on the structure and composition of eggshell and yolk in order to assess the effects of pesticides on their viability.

Automated summary

The study found that males in areas with agricultural pesticide usage had smaller testicle volume, but there was no difference in egg quantity and average clutch size. This suggests that the analyzed pesticides may influence the reproduction of the studied males.