title: Immuno-Modulator Effects of Carbaryl and 2,4 D in theEarthworm Eisenia fetida andrei
abstract: Carbaryl and 2,4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4 D)exerted differential effects on the earthworm E. f. andrei functionsrelated to immuno defense. As determined by contact test assay, carbarylactivity is characterized by a low LC50 value of 3.4 &mgr;g/cm2,compared to 18 &mgr;g/cm2 for 2,4 D. Incubating earthworms withdoses of carbaryl as low as 0.1 &mgr;g/cm2 resulted in theinhibition of the lysozyme activity detected in the cytosol (CL). A stronginhibition of phagocytosis was also obtained but with 1.5&mgr;g/cm2. On the other hand, low doses of carbaryl significantlystimulated cytolysis (0.1 &mgr;g/cm2), serine protease activity (0.1&mgr;g/cm2) in the coelomic fluid (CF) and serine protease activityin the CL (0.05 &mgr;g/cm2). Concerning 2,4 D, both cytolysis in theCF and serine protease activity in the CL were stimulated by respectively 3.5&mgr;g/cm2 and 18 &mgr;g/cm2. Phagocytosis was inhibitedonly with 18 &mgr;g/cm2. Lysozyme and serine protease inhibitoractivities were not affected. The immuno toxicological assays we developed inearthworms, allow to distinguish between chemicals with differentimmuno-modulatory properties. Moreover, earthworms appear to be aparticularly well adapted sentinel organism for the evaluation of soilcontamination.
authors.affiliation: ADEC Tox, 120 Rue Quintin, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ville
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roch
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Narbonne