Possible changes in trade-off strategy in female lizards (Eremias argus) during hibernation following exposure to chlorantraniliprole: Impact on the HPG axis and the energy mobilization

Hibernation is a short-term survival strategy for ectotherms to cope with cold weather and food shortages. The energy sources stored before hibernation are used not only in the winter, but also in preparation for repro-duction. Reproductive physiology and behavior are primarily regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. In this study, we examined endocrine hormone changes in the HPG axis of female lizards (Eremias argus) after chlorantraniliprole insecticide (CAP) exposure during hibernation. The levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone were significantly decreased and the level of testosterone (T) was significantly increased after 135d experiment. This study verified the possible endocrine disrupting effects of CAP. More energy material consumption was observed in CAP treated group. Female E. argus preferred to invest energy to present survival when exposed to CAP, rather than to reserve material for following reproductive activity.

Automated summary

Hibernation is a short-term survival strategy for ectotherms to deal with cold weather and lack of food. This study examined the changes in endocrine hormones in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of female lizards after exposure to chlorantraniliprole insecticide during hibernation. The results showed that the levels of several hormones were altered, indicating possible endocrine disrupting effects.