Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • At 1.0 μg·L−1 acetamiprid, head swing frequency increased by 23.86% vs. control, indicating neurobehavioral disruption at environmentally relevant concentrations, a sensitive endpoint for soil nematode risk assessment. • • F0 exposure elevated ROS by 30.42%–48.28% across 1–100 μg·L−1, linking oxidative stress to reproductive, developmental, and intestinal toxicity, providing a mechanistic basis for biomarker selection. • • Body width inhibition persisted to T2 generation at 1.0 μg·L−1, demonstrating transgenerational growth effects at low doses, critical for chronic soil exposure scenarios. • • SOD activity exhibited the highest sensitivity and transgenerational persistence among oxidative stress biomarkers, suggesting SOD as a robust early-warning indicator for neonicotinoid soil contamination.
Abstract
Acetamiprid, a representative neonicotinoid insecticide, persists in soil and water, posing ecological risks. This study evaluated its transgenerational toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg·L−1. Direct exposure (F0) caused neurobehavioral abnormalities, with head swing frequency significantly increased by 23.86% even at 1.0 μg·L−1, correlating with disrupted acetylcholinesterase and γ-aminobutyric acid. Reproduction, development, metabolism, and intestinal barrier were impaired, with reactive oxygen species elevated by 30.42%–48.28%, indicating oxidative stress as a mechanism. Effects transmitted to unexposed T1–T3 generations: at 1.0 μg·L−1, body width inhibition persisted to T2; fat accumulation and intestinal permeability effects intensified with concentration. Among oxidative stress biomarkers, superoxide dismutase showed highest sensitivity and transgenerational persistence. This study reveals multidimensional transgenerational toxicity, informing soil ecological risk assessment of neonicotinoids.
1. Introduction
Neonicotinoid insecticides, including acetamiprid, dominate global pesticide markets due to their efficacy against sucking pests. However, their persistence in soil and water, coupled with non-target toxicity, raises ecological concerns. Existing risk assessments often focus on acute lethality or single-generation effects, overlooking transgenerational impacts that may manifest in progeny without direct exposure. This gap hinders accurate prediction of long-term ecological consequences in soil invertebrates.
This study addresses this bottleneck by employing Caenorhabditis elegans, a model soil organism, to systematically evaluate transgenerational toxicity of acetamiprid across F0 and unexposed T1–T3 generations. By integrating neurobehavioral, physiological, and oxidative stress endpoints, the research provides a multidimensional framework for assessing sublethal, heritable effects at environmentally relevant concentrations, thereby informing more robust soil ecological risk assessments.
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WANG Zhaoli, CAO Miao, XU Ting, YU Zhenyang, WEI Sheng, GUO Xueping, YIN Daqiang (2026). Transgenerational Toxicity of Acetamiprid in Caenorhabditis elegans. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025101101
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest observed effect concentration for neurobehavioral changes, and how does it compare to environmental levels?
The lowest tested concentration of 1.0 μg·L−1 significantly increased head swing frequency by 23.86% relative to control. This concentration is environmentally relevant, as acetamiprid residues in soil and water can reach similar levels, indicating potential risk to non-target soil organisms.
Which oxidative stress biomarker is most sensitive for transgenerational monitoring, and why?
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) exhibited the highest sensitivity and most evident transgenerational persistence among evaluated biomarkers. This suggests SOD activity could serve as an early-warning indicator for acetamiprid exposure and its heritable effects, facilitating long-term ecological monitoring.
Do the transgenerational effects persist at the lowest concentration, and which endpoints are most affected?
At 1.0 μg·L−1, body width inhibition persisted to the T2 generation, while effects on fat accumulation and intestinal permeability became more pronounced with increasing concentration. This indicates that even low-dose exposure can induce heritable developmental and metabolic disruptions.
How does oxidative stress relate to the observed multi-system toxicity in F0 and progeny?
ROS levels were significantly elevated (30.42%–48.28%) in F0, correlating with reproductive, developmental, and intestinal impairments. Oxidative stress likely mediates these effects and may contribute to transgenerational transmission via epigenetic mechanisms, as evidenced by persistent SOD changes.
What are the implications for soil ecological risk assessment of neonicotinoids?
The study demonstrates that acetamiprid induces transgenerational toxicity at environmentally relevant concentrations, affecting behavior, growth, and metabolism in C. elegans. Risk assessments should incorporate multi-generation endpoints and oxidative stress biomarkers to avoid underestimating ecological impacts.
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