Ecotoxicological effects of chlorotetracycline on earthworm in soil

Eisenia foetida was selected to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of chlorotetracycline on the earthworm in soil. The results showed that 1,10 and 100 mg·kg-1chlorotetracycline had no significant effects on earthworm's body mass after a 7-d exposure,but it was significantly inhibited by 10,100 mg·kg-1chlorotetracycline after 21 days. The soluble protein content of earthworm was induced by 1,10 and 100 mg·kg-1chlorotetracycline,and showed a positive response as the concentration increased. Also,the earthworm treated by 1,10 and 100 mg·kg-1chlorotetracycline induced the increases of SOD,POD and CAT activities to different degrees. The gene expression in earthworm changed significantly after a 28-d exposure. It is suggested that chlorotetracycline had a chronic ecotoxicological effect on earthworm,and the body mass,soluble protein,antioxidant enzyme and gene expression could be used as the biomarkers to estimate chlorotetracycline toxicity.