Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single ...Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg-kg^(-1) soil. (LD_(50) = 880 mg kg^(-1) soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated. Results: Malathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals. Conclusion: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.展开更多
Every year mushroom wastes are produced in big volumes from edible mushroom production industries. Vermicomposting technology using earthworms as versatile natural bioreactors for effective recycling of organic wastes...Every year mushroom wastes are produced in big volumes from edible mushroom production industries. Vermicomposting technology using earthworms as versatile natural bioreactors for effective recycling of organic wastes to the soil is an environmentally acceptable means of converting waste into nutritious composts for crop production. This study was undertaken to use earthworms (eisenia foetida) in vermicomposting on edible mushrooms wastes. The Randomized block design with three treatments in Kimia, Sabalan and Artashahr mushroom production industries were selected and four replications were applied for treatments. The total biomass of earthworms was estimated by counting the number of adults, juveniles and cocoons from each replication. The number of adult and mature worms, egg capsules and wet weight of earthworms were recorded in one month intervals (totally in five months). Vermicomposting was carried out by these worms in four months in spite of delay in their establishment in mushroom wastes. The worms wet weight, their number and the number of capsules were increased up to fourth month and then decreased. The produced vermicompost had suitable properties for amending soil.展开更多
MTs (Eiseniafoetida metallothioneins) have been recently reported as biomarkers for environmental metal contamination, however no study regarding Sb (antimony) is available. This study aimed to explore possibility...MTs (Eiseniafoetida metallothioneins) have been recently reported as biomarkers for environmental metal contamination, however no study regarding Sb (antimony) is available. This study aimed to explore possibility of MTs as a biomarker of Sb pollution. A contact method of filter paper was used to investigate Sb inducing MTs in Eiseniafoetida. Spectrophotometrical and SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electropheresis) analyses were used to determine the nature of the induced MTs samples. Rabbit liver metallothioneins was used as a standard. The results showed that the molecular weight of induced protein was approximately 6-7 kDa. A characteristic absorption peak at 268 nm was observed, which was consistent with the standard. The amounts of Sb-MTs quantified by cadmium hemoglobin saturation method showed a significant positive relationship with increasing Sb exposure.The experiments prove that Sb can induce Sb-MTs in Eiseniafoetida as a biomarker of antimony pollution.展开更多
文摘Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg-kg^(-1) soil. (LD_(50) = 880 mg kg^(-1) soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated. Results: Malathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals. Conclusion: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.
文摘Every year mushroom wastes are produced in big volumes from edible mushroom production industries. Vermicomposting technology using earthworms as versatile natural bioreactors for effective recycling of organic wastes to the soil is an environmentally acceptable means of converting waste into nutritious composts for crop production. This study was undertaken to use earthworms (eisenia foetida) in vermicomposting on edible mushrooms wastes. The Randomized block design with three treatments in Kimia, Sabalan and Artashahr mushroom production industries were selected and four replications were applied for treatments. The total biomass of earthworms was estimated by counting the number of adults, juveniles and cocoons from each replication. The number of adult and mature worms, egg capsules and wet weight of earthworms were recorded in one month intervals (totally in five months). Vermicomposting was carried out by these worms in four months in spite of delay in their establishment in mushroom wastes. The worms wet weight, their number and the number of capsules were increased up to fourth month and then decreased. The produced vermicompost had suitable properties for amending soil.
文摘MTs (Eiseniafoetida metallothioneins) have been recently reported as biomarkers for environmental metal contamination, however no study regarding Sb (antimony) is available. This study aimed to explore possibility of MTs as a biomarker of Sb pollution. A contact method of filter paper was used to investigate Sb inducing MTs in Eiseniafoetida. Spectrophotometrical and SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electropheresis) analyses were used to determine the nature of the induced MTs samples. Rabbit liver metallothioneins was used as a standard. The results showed that the molecular weight of induced protein was approximately 6-7 kDa. A characteristic absorption peak at 268 nm was observed, which was consistent with the standard. The amounts of Sb-MTs quantified by cadmium hemoglobin saturation method showed a significant positive relationship with increasing Sb exposure.The experiments prove that Sb can induce Sb-MTs in Eiseniafoetida as a biomarker of antimony pollution.