Heavy metal content (Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) in various body parts: its impact on cholinesterase activity and binding glycoproteins in the grasshopper Aiolopus thalassinus adults.

Various toxicological symptoms were observed in Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabr.) adults which resulted from either contaminated soil or from being fed HgCl2-, CdCl2-, and PbCl2-treated diet. Many insects had abnormal wings which were present until the F3 untreated generation. Heavy metals were stored in different body parts, most of Cd2+ and Hg2+ were found in the testes, followed by the gut. Lead was enriched in all organs and body parts of the treated grasshoppers compared to the control. The highest lead concentrations were found in testes, wings, gut, and ovaries. In the treated generation ChE activity was reduced to about 23% compared to the untreated grasshoppers. In contrast to this, lead increased ChE activity to about 14%. In the following F2 untreated adults, ChE activity was normal; no long-term effect was found. In the supernatant of treated adults a Cd-type glycoprotein was found which can bind Cd ions; its MW was determined by electrophoresis and reference proteins at about 14,450 Da.