Acute toxicity of emamectin benzoate on Rana zhenhaiensis tadpoles

Genotoxicity of emamectin benzoate on erythrocytes of Rana zhenhaiensis tadpoles was investigated by the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay or comet assay.Tadpoles treated for 24 h and 48 h in laboratory with different concentrations(3×10-2,4×10-2,5×10-2,6×10-2 mg/L) of the test agent had significant dose-responsive increases at the level of DNA damage.The concentration of 3×10-2 emamectin benzoate resulted in significant increases in DNA damage in the tadpoles.There were linear correlations between the damage frequency,DNA damage level and the concentrations of the test substance.The results showed that the agricultural chemical produced DNA damage in amphibians,and that comet assay might be a useful tool for measuring DNA damage in tadpoles exposed in the field.