Effect of malathion on Bufo arenarum Hensel development--I. Esterase inhibition and recovery.

Newly fertilized Bufo arenarum Hensel embryos were exposed continuously or for a brief period (72-120 hr) to malathion (44 ppm) and then resuspended in amphibian Ringer's solution. Continuous exposure depressed acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) and carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) activities. The activities of the three enzymes in embryos treated for 72 hr recovered after a delay of 24 hr, but these enzymes showed different rates of recovery in embryos treated for 120 hr. Acrylamide disc electrophoresis showed several bands of esterase activity in control embryos. Continuous exposure to malathion abolished all esterase activity within 48 hr, but if the exposure continued new bands of esterase activity appeared at 120 hr of exposure. The zymograms of embryos exposed for 72 or 120 hr to malathion and then transferred to uncontaminated medium for 120 hr were similar to that of control embryos.