Hepatic Alterations in the Amphibian Sclerophrys regularis as Biomarkers for Habitat Destruction

Heavy metals contamination may have negative impacts on the wetland biota, particularly on amphibians, and result in a severe decline globally. Because they cannot be degraded biologically, heavy metals are difficult to remove from the environment. To assess the histopathological biomarkers, some heavy metals Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, and Cr were analyzed in the livers of Egyptian toads (Sclerophrys regularis) from North Giza (Abu Rawash) and El Wahat Regions (El Bawiti) as well as histological changes. The findings demonstrated that the heavy metals concentrations in the Egyptian toad liver at El Wahat were lower than those recorded in the El Giza region. In accordance with heavy metals burden, hepatic alterations were demonstrated and described. Because the liver is the organ where all types of toxins and chemicals are detoxified, the severity of the hepatic alterations observed in this study may be related to the damaging effects of environmental pollutants on hepatocytes.