Embryotoxicity of silver nanomaterials (Ag NM300k) in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus - Functional assay detects Ca channels shutdown.

Despite that silver (Ag) is among the most studied nanomaterials (NM) in environmental species and Ag's embryotoxicity is well known, there are no studies on Ag NMs embryotoxicity in soil invertebrates. Previous Full Life Cycle (FLC) studies in Enchytraeus crypticus, a standard soil invertebrate, showed that Ag materials decreased hatching success, which was confirmed to be a hatching delay effect for silver nitrate (AgNO) and mortality for Ag NM300K. In the present study, we aimed to investigate if the impact of Ag takes place during the embryonic development, using histology and immunohistochemistry.

Confirmatory assays for transient changes of omics in soil invertebrates - Copper materials in a multigenerational exposure.

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) based on effects caused by chronic and longer term exposure is highly relevant. Further, if mechanistic based approaches (e.g.

Developing an epigenetics model species - From blastula to mature adult, life cycle methylation profile of Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaete).

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism of particular importance in developmental biology, but methylation also varies along organisms' life cycle. Recent studies have deliberated copper (Cu) exposure induced epigenetic changes in Enchytraeus crypticus, a standard species belonging to one of the most common and important genera of soil invertebrates in many ecosystems. There is however no information on how DNA methylation levels change within the life cycle of this species.

Multigenerational Exposure to WCCo Nanomaterials-Epigenetics in the Soil Invertebrate .

It has become clear how important it is to assess longer term effects of (nano) materials in the environment given the current evidence showing how epigenetics drives response mechanisms. Here we studied global DNA methylation in standard soil invertebrate over 224 days when exposed to nanostructured tungsten carbide cobalt (WCCo nanomaterials (NMs)) and to cobalt (CoCl) in a multigenerational experiment. In order to assess the transgenerational effect, we used a multigenerational (MG) test design consisting of four generations in spiked soil followed by two generations in clean soil.

Epigenetic effects of (nano)materials in environmental species - Cu case study in Enchytraeus crypticus.

Chemical stressors can induce epigenomic changes, i.e., changes that are transferred to the next generation, even when the stressor is removed.

High-throughput gene expression in soil invertebrate embryos - Mechanisms of Cd toxicity in Enchytraeus crypticus.

Gene expression can vary with the organisms' life stage. It is known that embryos can be more sensitive to toxicant exposure, as previously demonstrated for Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta) exposed to cadmium (Cd), known to cause embryotoxicity and hatching delay. It was shown that Ca enters embryos via the L-type Ca channels in the cocoon membrane, this being affected in Cd exposed embryos (Cd-Ca competition is well-known).

Multigenerational effects of copper nanomaterials (CuONMs) are different of those of CuCl: exposure in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus.

Nanomaterials (NMs) are recommended to be tested in longer term exposures. Multigenerational (MG) studies are scarce and particularly important because effects can be transferred to the next generation. The current risk assessment framework does not include MG effects and this is a caveat for persistent materials.

Effects of copper oxide nanomaterials (CuONMs) are life stage dependent - full life cycle in Enchytraeus crypticus.

Copper oxide nanomaterials (CuONMs) have various applications in industry and enter the terrestrial environment, e.g. via sewage sludge.

Mechanisms of phenanthrene toxicity in the soil invertebrate, Enchytraeus crypticus.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) continue to cause environmental challenges as a result of their release into the environment by a great variety of anthropogenic activities and their accumulation in soils. Studies were conducted on the toxicological effect of the model PAH phenanthrene using the soil invertebrate model Enchytraeus crypticus at the individual, tissue, and molecular levels. Animals were exposed for 2 d and 21 d to phenanthrene concentrations corresponding to the (previously estimated) 3-wk effective concentration, 10% (EC10) and EC50 for effects on reproduction.

Effects of Ag nanomaterials (NM300K) and Ag salt (AgNO3) can be discriminated in a full life cycle long term test with Enchytraeus crypticus.

Information on effects of silver nanoparticles on soil invertebrates, especially using long-term exposures, is scarce. In this study we investigated the effects of the reference Ag (NM300K) (compared to AgNO3) using the full life cycle test (FLCt) of the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus. Results showed that effects were higher compared to the standard reproduction test, which is shorter and does not cover the FLC.

Development of an embryotoxicity test for Enchytraeus crypticus--the effect of Cd.

The existing standard enchytraeid reproduction test (ERT) concerns the assessment of effects on survival and reproduction. In the present study we optimized and propose an embryotoxicity test using Enchytraeus crypticus. Cadmium (Cd) was used as a test substance.

Enchytraeid Reproduction Test(PLUS): hatching, growth and full life cycle test--an optional multi-endpoint test with Enchytraeus crypticus.

Soil ecotoxicity standard tests for invertebrates are usually limited to the assessment of endpoints like survival and reproduction. Adverse effects may occur at other developmental stages, e.g.

Non-avoidance behaviour in enchytraeids to boric acid is related to the GABAergic mechanism.

Soil invertebrates, e.g. enchytraeids, are known to be able to avoid unfavourable conditions, which gives them an important ecological advantage.

Thyroid disruption in the lizard Podarcis bocagei exposed to a mixture of herbicides: a field study.

Pesticide exposure has been related with thyroid disrupting effects in different vertebrate species. However, very little is known about the effects of these compounds in reptiles. In the Mediterranean area, lacertid lizards are the most abundant vertebrate group in agroecosystems, and have been identified as potential model species for reptile ecotoxicology.

Biomarkers of exposure and effect in a lacertid lizard (Podarcis bocagei Seoane) exposed to chlorpyrifos.

In Europe, reptiles have been recently included in environmental risk-assessment processes for registration of plant-protection products. However, data on toxicity effects of most compounds are lacking. Chlorpyrifos is the most commonly used organophosphorus insecticide worldwide.

The use of a lacertid lizard as a model for reptile ecotoxicology studies: part 2--biomarkers of exposure and toxicity among pesticide exposed lizards.

As part of a wider study examining the impacts of corn pesticides on lacertid lizards in north-western Portugal, we examined various physiological, biochemical, and histological biomarkers of exposure and effect among field populations of Podarcis bocagei. Biomarkers included body condition index, standard metabolic rate, locomotor performance, parasitization, glutathione oxidative pathways and related enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation and liver and testis histology. Few of the various biomarkers investigated provided statistically significant evidence of toxic effect.

The use of a lacertid lizard as a model for reptile ecotoxicology studies--part 1 field demographics and morphology.

At the European level, lacertid lizards have been proposed as potential model species for reptile ecotoxicology. We studied demographic and morphological aspects of natural field subpopulations of Podarcis bocagei inhabiting similar agricultural habitats which were either regularly exposed to pesticides, or not. Parameters examined in this study included population size and density, sex ratio, adult body size, fluctuating asymmetry in femoral pores and parasite prevalence.

Effects of ammonium nitrate on larval survival and growth of four Iberian amphibians.

The purpose of this study was to understand the differences in tolerance to ammonium nitrate in four Iberian amphibians. Results showed a negative effect on amphibian survival and larvae total length. Three different tolerance groups on amphibian survival were established.