Effect of cadmium on haemocyte viability of the woodlouse Porcellio laevis (Isopoda, Crustacea)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of cadmium on haemocyte viability of the woodlouse Porcellio laevis, using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The ultimate aim is to determine the usefulness of this cellular response as biomarker of cadmium exposure. Results showed that exposure to sublethal concentrations of cadmium, with concomitant cadmium accumulation in the body, significantly lowered the percentages of viable haemocytes in P. laevis. This response was already observed after the first week of exposure and could therefore possibly serve as an early warning of cadmium exposure. A field study is needed to validate these findings.