Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009KY126B

Effects of Roundup exposure on behavior and reproductive function in a pond-breeding salamander

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $12,523

Principal Investigators: Howard Whiteman

Project Summary: Trials will be conducted to determine whether Roundup exposure affects hormone levels, gamete production, reproductive behavior, and feeding response in adult, terrestrial mole salamanders. Exposed and unexposed males will be compared in terms of both sperm count and motility and female mate choice. Effects of exposure on foraging behavior will be analyzed for males and females. Salamanders will be obtained during breeding season from natural populations in Calloway and Trigg Counties, KY. Specimens will be maintained in individual containers in an environmental chamber (4-10C) for 24-48 hours prior to the trials. Basic measurements and reproductive status will be recorded. Salamanders will be randomly assigned to a control group or to one of the following experimental treatment groups (mg active ingredient/L well water): Low 0.05mg/L, Medium 0.5mg/L, High 5.0mg/L. Treatment animals will be individually submersed in solution for 72 hours, and control specimens will be moved to a separate container with well water for an equivalent duration. Videotaped behavioral observations will be used to document female mate choice and foraging activity of males and females. Steroid hormone analysis will be conducted on samples from both unexposed and exposed salamanders. Circulating hormone levels will be quantified from blood samples using antibodies to the parent compound. Changes in circulating hormone levels over time will be illustrated by analyzing corresponding hormone metabolites from a time series collection of fecal samples.