2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part B
Assessment of locomotor deficits in Drosophila melanogaster treated with lead acetate and it was rescued by butylated hydroxyanisole
Author(s): Manoj PB, Ruthu RN, Saraswathi YS and Shakunthala V
Abstract: The act of locomotion is crucial for various purposes, including finding food, locating a mate, escaping predators, defending territory, and responding to stress. Consequently, locomotion is essential to most animal behaviours. Thus, for animals to survive, move, and reproduce effectively. Negative geotaxis is one of the locomotion, innate climbing behaviour of D. melanogaster, serves as a reliable indicator of neuromuscular health and locomotor function. This study investigates the impact of lead acetate, a known environmental neurotoxin, on negative geotaxis behaviour in adult Drosophila and evaluates the potential protective role of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant. Flies were divided into four groups: control, 1 mM lead-treated, 1.5 mM lead-treated, and1.5mM lead plus 10Mm BHA-treated. The negative geotaxis assay was performed by tapping flies to the bottom of a vertical vial and recording the number that climbed above the 10 cm mark within 10 seconds. Lead-exposed flies exhibited reduced climbing ability, indicating impaired locomotion likely caused by oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. However, flies co-treated with BHA demonstrated improved geotactic response, suggesting that BHA counteracted the toxic effects of lead by neutralizing reactive oxygen species and supporting neuromuscular recovery. These findings underscore the utility of D. melanogaster as a model for behavioural toxicology and highlight the therapeutic potential of antioxidants in mitigating heavy metal-induced neurobehavioral impairments.
Pages: 80-88 | Views: 581 | Downloads: 163
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How to cite this article:
Manoj PB, Ruthu RN, Saraswathi YS, Shakunthala V. Assessment of locomotor deficits in Drosophila melanogaster treated with lead acetate and it was rescued by butylated hydroxyanisole. Acta Entomol Zool 2025;6(2):80-88.
