ALTERATIONS IN THE ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS OF THE HEAD REGION

 ABSTRACT

This study investigates alterations in the antioxidant levels of the head region of Xenopus laevis, a commonly found amphibian specie, the African clawed toad, from three distinct sites in Benin City: UNIBEN Campus Capitol, NIFOR Dumpsite, and Slaughter area. Xenopus laevis was chosen as a bioindicator to assess the environmental health of these locations due to susceptibility to environmental changes. The research was conducted over a specified period and samples were collected from each site for analysis, a total of 30 tadpoles. Parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to evaluate the antioxidant defense mechanisms of Xenopus laevis. Results revealed significant variations in antioxidant levels among the study sites. Xenopus laevis specimens from the NIFOR Dumpsite exhibited the highest levels of oxidative stress markers due to the increased levels of pollutants such as heavy metals, BOD, COD, amongst others and exposure to environmental stressors, while those from Slaughter showed the lowest levels. These findings suggest that environmental factors, such as pollution and exposure to contaminants, may be influencing the antioxidant status of amphibians in the studied areas. The study highlights the importance of using the tadpole of Xenopus laevis as a sentinel species for monitoring environmental changes and assessing potential ecological risks. Understanding alterations in antioxidant levels in amphibians can contribute to a better comprehension of local environmental conditions and aid in developing strategies for the conservation and management of ecosystems in Benin City.