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Influence of D-penicillamine and β-aminopropionitril on the metamorphosis of Rana temporaria

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Abstract

Tadpoles of Rana temporaria (size 5–7 mm) were kept in solutions of D-penicillamine (DPA), β-aminopropionitril (βAPN), and L-thyroxine at different concentrations for 18 days. The influence of the substances on metamorphosis was investigated.

In low concentrations (1 or 10 mg/100 ml) D-penicillamine accelerates the process of metamorphosis. At these concentrations investigated skeletal malformations could not be observed. A content of 100 mg of DPA/100 ml is toxic. After 8 days of exposure only 4 of the 15 test animals had survived.

In all concentrations investigated, β-aminopropionitril has a toxic action. In low concentration (1 mg/100 ml) deformities are found which could be described as bending of the femur and twisting of the whole hind limb. The animals are non-viable, they die shortly after termination of metamorphosis. Higher concentrations (10 or 100 mg/100 ml) are lethal within the first 10 days.

L-thyroxine (0.01 mg/100 ml) shows the wellknown metamorphosis-accelerating effect.

Zusammenfassung

Kaulquappen von Rana temporaria (5–7 mm groß) wurden 18 Tage in unterschiedlich konzentrierten Lösungen von D-Penicillamin (DPA), β-Aminopropionitril (BAPN) bzw. L-Thyroxin gehalten. Der Einfluß der Substanzen auf die Metamorphose wurde überprüft.

D-Penicillamin beschleunigt in niedrigen Konzentrationen (1 bzw. 10 mg/100 ml) den Ablauf der Metamorphose. Fehlentwicklungen am Skelettsystem sind nicht zu beobachten. Ein Gehalt von 100mg DPA/100 ml ist toxisch. Nach 8tägiger Exposition leben nur noch 4 von 15 der eingesetzten Tiere.

β-Aminopropionitril wirkt in allen geprüften Konzentrationen toxisch. In der niedrigen Konzentration (1 mg/100 ml) sind Veränderungen am Skelettsystem zu erkennen, die als Verbiegung des Femurs und Verdrillung der gesamten Hinterextremität beschrieben werden können. Diese Tiere sind nicht lebensfähig, sie sterben kurz nach Beendigung der Metamorphose. Höhere Konzentrationen (10 bzw. 100 mg/100 ml) wirken innerhalb der ersten 10 Tage letal.

L-Thyroxin (0,01 mg/100 ml) zeigt die bekannte metamorphosebeschleunigende Wirkung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allgemeine Pharmakologie, Forschungsinstitut Knoll AG, D-6700, Ludwigshafen/Rh., Germany

    L. Friedrich, D. Wuppermann & F. Zimmermann

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  1. L. Friedrich
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  2. D. Wuppermann
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  3. F. Zimmermann
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Friedrich, L., Wuppermann, D. & Zimmermann, F. Influence of D-penicillamine and β-aminopropionitril on the metamorphosis of Rana temporaria . Arch. Toxicol. 35, 181–185 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293565

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293565

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