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Effects of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in a Holistic Environmental Exposure Regime on a Terrestrial Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5403, Mark.Johnson{at}amedd.army.mil

Steven D. Holladay

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0442

Kelly S. Lippenholz

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-0117

Jennifer L. Tenkins

National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-3194

Wilfred C. Mccain

US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5403

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a defense-related environmental contaminant present at high concentrations in soil at some military installations. Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum, family Ambystomatidae) were exposed to TNT in a soil matrix and fed earthworms that had also been exposed to TNT via contaminated soil. Such exposure was previously shown to result in significant accumulation of both TNT and TNT metabolites by salamanders. Following 14 days of combined oral and dermal exposures, salamanders were evaluated for signs of toxicity. Control and TNT-exposed salamanders gained weight (p < 0.025). In addition, organ to body weight ratios (kidney, liver, and spleen) were not affected by treatment. The function of splenic phagocytic cells was evaluated because these cells are sensitive to certain environmental chemical exposures. Neither the chemiluminescence response (H₂O₂ production) nor the phagocytic capacity of such cells were different between controls and treatment groups. In like manner, no changes were seen in the peripheral hematologic parameters investigated. Histopathologic evaluations were inconclusive, yet the liver revealed the presence of heavily pigmented iron-rich phagocytes (melanomacrophages). This investigation presents a realistic approach and preliminary data for investigating the effects of xenobiotic exposure in a soil matrix on a terrestrial vertebrate.

Key Words: TNT • phagocytosis • melanomacrophages • microcosm • earthworms • Ambystomatidae

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Toxicologic Pathology, Vol. 28, No. 2, 334-341 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/019262330002800214


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