ABSTRACT
Eiseniafoetida was selected to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of chlorotetracycline on the earthworm in soil. The results showed that 1, 10 and 100 mg · kg(-1) chlorotetracycline had no significant effects on earthworm's body mass after a 7-d exposure, but it was significantly inhibited by 10, 100 mg · kg(-1) chlorotetracycline after 21 days. The soluble protein content of earthworm was induced by 1, 10 and 100 mg · kg(-1) chlorotetracycline, and showed a positive response as the con- centration increased. Also, the earthworm treated by 1, 10 and 100 mg · kg(-1) chlorotetracycline 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 en- zyme and gene expression could be used as the biomarkers to estimate chlorotetracycline toxicity.
