Ecotoxic Effects of a Veterinary Food Additive,CuSO4 0n Antioxidant Enzymes and mRNA Expressions in Earthworms

摘要

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of veterinary food additive CuS04 (CuS04)at different concentrations and different early exposure phases,on the ecotoxic responses of the earthworms Eisenia fetida (E.fetida).Earthworms were exposed to increasing concentrations of CuSO4 (50,100,200 and 400 mg/kg dry soil by Cu)and for different periods of time (5,10 and 15 days).The following biomarkers were measured: Catalase (CAT),superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxides (GPx),glutathione-S-transferase (GST )activity and malonaldehyde (MDA)concentration.Moreover,gene expression analysis was also conducted as molecular biomarkers: the expression of metallothioneins (MT)gene and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70)gene.These biomarker responses varied in relation to concentrations and exposure times.The results showed antioxidant enzymes had the efficiency to provide antioxidant defenses against the stressor except GST and highlighted expression of MT and Hsp70 could be used as reliable and sensitive molecular tools with predictive possibilities to monitor the ecotoxicity of veterinary feed additive CuS04.