The mechanism of damage by trace amounts of acetamiprid to the midgut of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract

Acetamiprid is widely used for agricultural pest control. However, it remains poorly understood whether the environmental residues of acetamiprid have the potential effects on economic insect. In this study, we evaluated the effects of acetamiprid on silkworm growth and development. The exposure to trace amounts of acetamiprid significantly decreased body weight, viability, and spinning ability. In addition, the activity of trypsin in the midgut was decreased after exposure. DGE and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the significantly differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in nutrient metabolism, stress responses, and inflammation pathways. These results, in combination with hematoxylin‐eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy, indicated that acetamiprid could cause oxidative damage to midgut, lead to inflammatory responses, and affect the activities of midgut digestive enzymes, thus resulting in abnormal growth and development. Our findings greatly contributed to the evaluation of the effects of acetamiprid residues on other nontarget beneficial insect.

Effects of glyphosate on the growth, development, and physiological functions of silkworm, Bombyx mori

“…Lipase can decompose triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. In this study, we found that the activity of lipase was increased at 24 h, which is likely related to the oxidative damage in the midgut caused by glyphosate exposure and is consistent with previously reported results (Wang et al, 2019).…”

“…Lipase can decompose triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. In this study, we found that the activity of lipase was increased at 24 h, which is likely related to the oxidative damage in the midgut caused by glyphosate exposure and is consistent with previously reported results (Wang et al, 2019). We found that glyphosate caused significant damage to the midgut of silkworms, including thinner midgut basal layer, sparse microvilli, shedding of intestinal wall cells, blurred cytoplasmic membrane boundaries, and visible cell vacuoles (Figure 3).…”

The effects of glyphosate exposure on gene transcription and immune function of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

“…In addition, the gene encoding lipase 1, LOC101735952 , was transcriptionally upregulated, which was 1.76‐fold of the control group. Studies have shown that the lipase activity in silkworm was significantly increased after 24 h of glyphosate exposure, and then significantly decreased after 48 h (Feng et al, 2022); moreover, it has been shown that acetamiprid exposure led to a transient increase in lipase activity in silkworm, which might be related to inflammation (Wang et al, 2019). These results were similar to our results in this study.…”

Characterization of the sublethal toxicity and transcriptome‐wide biological changes induced by λ‐cyhalothrin in Bombyx mori

“…[3][4][5] Previous studies have shown that long-term exposure to trace amounts of pesticides, such as acetamiprid, phoxim and chlorantraniliprole, can lead to growth retardation, weight loss, disruption of molting and pupation, and reduced spinning ability in silkworms. 3,[6][7][8] On the other hand, few studies have focused on remedies for pesticide-poisoned silkworms. Thus, understanding the sublethal impacts of short-term pesticide exposure on silkworms can help to seek potential solutions to reduce the economic losses caused by pesticide poisoning.…”

“…2 The toxicity of low-dose pesticides to silkworms has aroused concerns of researchers, and sublethal effects of some pesticides on silkworms have been partially investigated. [3][4][5] Previous studies have shown that long-term exposure to trace amounts of pesticides, such as acetamiprid, phoxim and chlorantraniliprole, can lead to growth retardation, weight loss, disruption of molting and pupation, and reduced spinning ability in silkworms. 3,[6][7][8] On the other hand, few studies have focused on remedies for pesticide-poisoned silkworms.…”