Growth and biochemical responses of earthworms (Dendrobaena veneta) exposed to tetracycline

Veterinary antibiotics have received growing attention in recent years as emerging terrestrial contaminants. Livestock, animal manure and slurry land application are the main routes for veterinary antibiotics to enter the soil environment. Widespread use and distribution of tetracyclines poses a serious risk to soil dwelling organisms. Being soil keystone species, earthworms perform a number of essential functions in the soil and occupy important position in the terrestrial food chain. However antibiotic effects on earthworms are still poorly understood. Earthworms Dendrobaena veneta were exposed to tetracycline for 56 days. Mortality, body weight, and biochemical responses including the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, gluthathione-S-transferase) and oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) were investigated. Tetracycline did not induce acute lethal toxicity to D. veneta, though impaired weight growth, antioxidant enzymes system and induced oxidative stress.