Single and combined exposure to ivermectin and butachlor impact on the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in terrestrial oligochaete Nsukkadrillus mbae

Abstract

This study evaluates the single and combined effects of ivermectin (IVM) and butachlor (BUT) on the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters of Nsukkadrilus mbae . Based on the 166.7 and 9.03 mg/kg LC 50 values for IVM and BUT respectively, 140 earthworms were randomized into 7 groups viz. (i) normal control, (ii) low ivermectin (IVM Low :8.34 mg/kg), (iii) high ivermectin (IVM High : 25.02 mg/kg), (iv) low butachlor (BUT Low : 0.40 mg/kg), (v) high butachlor (BUT High :1.35 mg/kg), (vi) IVM Low + BUT Low ) and (vii) IVM High + BUT High ) for sublethal 14-days exposure and 7-days recovery. The results indicate that lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly while catalase, superoxide dismutase, protein and glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.05). There were mixed trends in the recovery patterns after the 7-days withdrawal. The bivariate correlation matrix, principal component analysis and integrated biomarker responses indicate interactions of the measured parameters at different concentrations and time in the earthworm. Sustainable practices that minimize harm to soil dwelling organisms by reducing the use of IVM and BUT is advocated.