International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences ISSN: 2321-3272 (Print), ISSN: 2230-7605 (Online) IJPBS | Volume 8 | Issue 1 | JAN-MAR| 2018 | 133-138 Research Article | Biological Sciences | Open Access | MCI Approved| |UGC Approved Journal | International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences Thirupathi Koila and Venkaiah Yanamala* www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com 133 STUDIES ON BIOCHEMICAL VARIATIONS OF SKIN SECRETION AND ITS EXTRACT OF BUFO MELANOSTICTUS EXPOSED TO CHLORPYRIPHOS AN ORGANOPHOSPHATE Thirupathi Koila and Venkaiah Yanamala* Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009, Telangana State, India *Corresponding Author Email: venkaiahyanamala07@gmail.com ABSTRACT The present study was under taken to analyze the biochemical variations in skin secretion and its extract of Bufo melanostictus exposed to chlorpyriphos an organophosphate (OP compound). The skin of B. melanostictus was exposed to the toxicant and the variations were observed on proteins, carbohydrates and ninhydrine positive substances at different time intervals i.e. 4, 8 and 12 hrs and variations in skin secretion and its extract. The results revealed that the components of proteins, carbohydrates and ninhydrine positive substances were found to be decreased significantly at 4, 8 and 12 hrs in skin secretion and its extract. The maximum decrease was observed at 4 hrs and 12 hrs compared to 8 hrs and control. KEY WORDS Skin secretion, Skin extraction, Total proteins, Ninhydrine positive substances (Free Amino Acids), Chlorpyriphos, Organophosphate. INTRODUCTION Amphibians show sensitivity towards changes that occur in the environment and they are used as bio- indicators of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems [1, 2]. They lead an obligatory aquatic life and have permeable skin, which made these animals susceptible to water borne environmental chemical contaminants [3], that directly influence these organisms [2, 4]. Thus, many pesticides used in agriculture ultimately reach the food chain of the aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibians actually constitute the largest group of vertebrate biomasses in some ecosystems, making them as important source of food for the higher vertebrates like fish, birds, reptiles, mammals as well as important herbivores (tadpole) and carnivores in these ecosystems [5]. But usage of pesticides is receiving an increased attention in potential causes of Amphibian decline. These chemicals unintentionally influence the life of other non-target organisms found in the surroundings. Toads have two types of skin glands i.e. mucous and the glandular (or) alveolar glands [6, 7]. Skin glands produce mucous, peptide, biogenic amines, steroids and large no of biologically active compounds [8]. Venom is a secretion synthesized in a specific part of the body and it is a modified saliva containing different polypeptides used for defense from prey instead of defense organs [9-11]. Utilization of wide range of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides in agriculture is polluting the soil as well as aquatic ecosystem. Some of the pesticides, herbicides and nematocides show an endocrine disrupting effect [12], however in natural communities; their effect is direct or indirect on the toad species thus also becoming a cause for amphibian population decline [13-16]. In view of the above, present investigation has been undertaken to study the toxic effect of organophosphate compound Chlorpyriphos on some