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1781961 
Journal Article 
Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the earthworm Eisenia fetida induced by low doses of fomesafen 
Zhang, Q; Zhu, L; Wang, Jun; Xie, Hui; Wang, J; Han, Y; Yang, J 
2013 
Yes 
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
ISSN: 0944-1344
EISSN: 1614-7499 
SPRINGER HEIDELBERG 
HEIDELBERG 
20 
1 
201-208 
22585392 
WOS:000313071900022 
Formesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide that has adverse
effects on non-target animals. However, knowledge about the effect of fomesafen on the
antioxidant defense system in earthworms is vague. Thus, it is essential to investigate the
effects of fomesafen on the antioxidant defense system in earthworms as a precautionary method.
In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to artificial soil treated with a
range of concentrations of fomesafen (0, 10, 100, and 500 mu g kg(-1)) and were collected on the
3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of exposure. Subsequently, the antioxidant enzyme activities
(superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT); and guaiacol peroxidase (POD)), reactive oxygen
species (ROS) level, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content due to fomesafen treatment were examined
in earthworms. Compared with the control, the SOD activity increased on the third and seventh
days but decreased on the 14th day due to treatment with 100 and 500 mu g kg(-1) of fomesafen.
The activities of CAT and POD increased significantly on the third, seventh, and 14th days of
exposure. In addition, the ROS level was significantly enhanced throughout the entire
experimental period and showed a statistically dose-dependent relationship on the seventh and
14th days. The MDA content markedly increased on the seventh day of exposure; however, obvious
changes were not detected at other exposure period. Low doses of fomesafen (a parts per thousand
currency sign500 mu g kg(-1)) may result in oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in E. fetida
by inducing the generation of ROS at short exposure periods (14 days). However, the adverse
effects of fomesafen gradually disappear as the cooperation of antioxidant enzymes and exposure
time are prolonged. This result may be helpful for further studies on the toxicological
mechanisms of fomesafen to earthworms. 
Herbicide; Ecotoxicology; Antioxidant enzymes; Reactive oxygen species; Lipid peroxidation