The presence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein in earthworms Eisenia fetida has no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction.

Abstract

Earthworms Eisenia fetida, bred in substances with stover of two genetically-engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corns (5422Bt1 (Event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810)) expressing Cry1Ab and their near-isogenic non-Bt corn (5422), were used to investigate the non-target effects of Bt corn on soil-dwelling organisms. Cry1Ab concentrations in substances, casts and guts of E. fetida were also investigated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). More than 90% individuals of E. fetida survived over a period of 30 d, irrespective of whether they received Bt corn or non-Bt corn. Compared to 5422 treatments, significantly higher relative growth rate and more number of new offspring and cocoons of E. fetida were found in 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL treatments. These results were unlikely to be directly caused by Cry1Ab released from Bt corns but rather by differences in other factors of plants such as plant components (soluble sugar, total organic carbon, total protein and available phosphorus of Bt corns were more than 5422). ELISA results indicated immunoreactive Cry1Ab was detectable in substances, and the casts, guts of E. fetida from Bt corns treatments, of which the highest levels were detected in substances under the corresponding experimental conditions. With the increase of treated time, a strong decline was observed in Cry1Ab from substances and casts of E. fetida, whereas Cry1Ab in guts of E. fetida from 5422Bt1 treatments gradually increased and that from 5422CBCL treatments increased between 14 and 30 d. Therefore, the presence of Cry1Ab in E. fetida had no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction.

• Authors: Yinghua Shu, Honghui Ma, Yan Du, Zhixian Li, Yuanjiao Feng, Jianwu Wang
• Journal: Chemosphere (Chemosphere) Vol. 85 Issue 10 Pg. 1648-56 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1879-1298 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21955355 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
• Bacterial Proteins
• Endotoxins
• Hemolysin Proteins
• Soil Pollutants
• insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis

Topics

• Animals
• Bacillus thuringiensis (metabolism)
• Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
• Bacterial Proteins (toxicity)
• Endotoxins (toxicity)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Hemolysin Proteins (toxicity)
• Oligochaeta (drug effects, growth & development)
• Reproduction (drug effects)
• Soil Pollutants (toxicity)
• Time Factors