LAUSR

Earthworms are often used as model organisms in ecotoxicological research because of their natural habitat where they can be exposed to many different pollutants, including pesticides. Since a number of them has to be sacrificed for sample collection, it would be useful to develop non-invasive methods and techniques suitable for the analysis of target parameters. The aim of this study is to determine whether the coelomocyte extract, obtained by the non-invasive method, can be used to measure responses of biochemical biomarkers and to establish if it can be used in assessing the effects of pesticides already known to have a negative impact on the earthworms. In the present study Eisenia andrei earthworms were exposed for 48 h to organophosphates dimethoate and pirimiphos-methyl using the filter paper contact test. Following exposure, coelomocyte extracts were prepared and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CES) activities were measured. The percentage of inhibition of the measured enzymes in the coelomocyte extract was compared with the inhibition of the same enzyme activities in the samples obtained from the whole body homogenate. AChE and CES inhibition was observed at all concentrations for both pesticides in different types of samples. Compared to the coelomocyte extract, the level of AChE inhibition was slightly stronger in the whole body homogenate. Inhibition of CES at the same concentrations in different types of samples did not always coincide, especially in the case of dimethoate, however significant inhibition of CES in coelomocyte extract was recorded. This study indicates the possibility of using the coelomocyte extract for measurement of biochemical biomarkers and assessment of pesticide effects.