The carbamate insecticide ZZ-Aphox induced structural changes of gills, liver, gall-bladder, heart, and notochord of Rana perezi tadpoles.

Embryos of Rana perezi were kept under laboratory conditions and treated with carbamate ZZ-Aphox at chronic doses of 0.02% and 0.14% for 9 weeks. Both the histological study and the analysis of mortality show a direct relationship between the dosage and the effects of the pesticide. The histological study of the survivors over 56 days show damages in gills, liver, gall-bladder, heart, and notochord. Damages on the epithelial of gills (on their distal portion) and gall-bladder recover over a few days, whereas those provoked on the compacting of the hepatic parenchyma and the hepatocytes, the auricle and the perintocohordal collagenic fibers alter their structure in a lasting way. Potentials of such alterations are discussed, with special reference to the possible interference of the pesticide on the successful synthesis of the supporting connective sheaths.