Effects of daily nickel intake on the bio-accumulation,body weight and length in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Nickel pollution is a serious environmental problem, and its effects may provoke alterations in the ecosystem and in organism of animals and humans. Dermatitis, eczema, and asthma are some illnesses caused by Ni²⁺ poisoning. In this work, fish fed either Ni²⁺-enriched pellets or commercial pellets were studied. The amount of Ni²⁺ in fish were measurements by adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) with dimethylglyoxime as a complexing agent. The analysis of Ni²⁺ in fish by AdSV established that its accumulation occurs principally in viscera (670.86 ± 5.82 µg g^?1), in the head (697.12 ± 2.77 µg g^?1) and in the muscle (405.82 ± 3.26 µg g^?1), both after 12 months of experiments. Ni²⁺ adsorbs preferentially in organs such as the stomach, the intestine, and the kidneys and acts in the central nervous system as well. Tilapia growth and mass were significantly affected by Ni²⁺ poisoning. From statistical analysis, observed that the results for lengths, weights and metal concentration were different for each sampling at significance level of p < 0.05. The Ni²⁺ concentration in tilapia was enough to cause the death of tilapias; however, it did not occur because the presence of Zn²⁺ might act as protective agent of heavy metals.     

两种喂食方式下微囊藻毒素-LR在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中动态变化的比较

试验以尼罗罗非鱼作为受试动物,通过直接投喂未经处理的新鲜藻细胞和喂食相同量经超声波破碎过的藻细胞,比较了罗非鱼在摄食完整蓝藻细胞与摄食破碎的蓝藻细胞时微囊藻毒素-LR(MC-LR)在其体内的动态变化规律及代谢差异.结果表明,无论是喂食破碎蓝藻细胞还是未破碎的蓝藻细胞均可在罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中检出MC-LR,细胞破碎组肝脏和肌肉的富集能力高于未破碎组.富集第3d,即可在肝脏和肌肉中检出不同程度的MC-LR,肝脏中MC-LR的含量显著高于肌肉,随着富集时间的延长,MC-LR的含量总体呈上升趋势,破碎组肝脏和肌肉分别在染毒的16d和11d达到最大值(分别为2.021μg·g-1和0.071μg·g-1);未破碎组则分别在染毒的24d和21d达到最大值(分别为1.856μg·g-1和0.036μg·g-1).整个富集阶段破碎组肝脏MC-LR的平均值为1.171μg·g-1,略高于未破碎组的1.029μg·g-1;破碎组肌肉含量的平均值0.051μg·g-1,高于未破碎组的0.029μg·g-1.将细胞未破碎组的罗非鱼进行释放阶段的试验.结果表明,罗非鱼的肝脏能快速清除MC-LR,释放13d时达到释放阶段的最低值(为0.241μg·g-1),与肝脏相比,肌肉对毒素的清除要缓慢得多.     

微囊藻毒素-LR对罗非鱼鳃组织活性氧自由基含量及相关抗氧化酶活性的影响

应用腹腔注射的方式,研究了微囊藻毒素MC-LR对罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）鳃组织活性氧自由基含量（ROS）及过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性的影响。结果表明：在MC-LR的胁迫下,罗非鱼鳃组织产生了大量的ROS,并引起了SOD和CAT 2种抗氧化酶活性的变化。SOD和CAT在清除过量的ROS时表现出的动态变化过程不同,SOD的变化曲线是多阶段的,而CAT则表现为先诱导后恢复的趋势。SOD和CAT在变化趋势上有所不同,但均表现为明显的时间与效应的正相关关系和剂量与效应的正相关关系。这也为将鳃组织中SOD和CAT作为抗氧化生物标志物来监测微囊藻毒素对罗非鱼胁迫作用提供了一定的参考。试验为研究微囊藻毒素对罗非鱼的生态毒理学作用提供相应的资料,并为罗非鱼质量安全问题的研究打下一定的基础。     

Observations on metal concentrations in commercial landings of two species of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus) from reservoirs in six river basins in Sri Lanka

Samples of the muscle of two species of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus; 17–20 cm length) were obtained from at least one reservoir in each of the six river basins (Aruvi Aru, Kala Oya, Kirindi Oya, Ma Oya, Mahaweli, and Walawe Ganga catchments) in Sri Lanka. The metals Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn were consistently detected in the muscle tissue. Overall, there were few differences in the concentration of metals between the two species of fish, although there were also some statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of some metals in fish obtained from some of the reservoirs. Aruvi Aru stands out as a river basin in which the two fish species have significantly lower concentration of metals when compared to other river basins. The concentration of the metals studied were below WHO and FSANZ guideline values for fish, suggesting that the consumption of the metals found in tilapia from these reservoirs poses little risk to human health.     

In situ evaluation of the genotoxic potential of the river Nile: I. Micronucleus and nuclear lesion tests of erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

This study aimed to investigate the genotoxic potential of chemicals present along the course of the river Nile using frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and nuclear lesions (NL) in erythrocytes of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus niloticus and African catfish Clarias gariepinus, as biomarkers. Results showed that most of the physicochemical parameters detected and heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher in the water collected from the estuaries of the river Nile compared to other sites of the upper Nile. The frequencies of MN and NL in peripheral blood erythrocytes of Nile tilapia and African catfish were significantly higher in estuary sites in Damietta and Rosetta compared to upper sites. The lowest level of genotoxicity was observed at two sites (Aswan and Kena), considered to be less contaminated. Our results suggested that higher frequencies of MN and NL determined at Damietta and Rosetta sites may be indicative of damage produced by pollutants in these areas. The most remarkable result was that MN and NL frequencies appear to be strongly related to water quality at different sites examined, indicating that MN frequencies may serve as a reliable biomarker for testing genotoxicity in situ. The positive correlation between MN and NL induction suggested that NL may be a useful complementary assay for genotoxicity analyses when fish are used as experimental animals. It was also found that seasonal variations in MN and NL frequencies might contribute to a better understanding of genotoxic responses in the field. The use of fish as indicator organisms for monitoring the presence of genotoxic-inducing contaminants in the environment seemed justified because the effects of exposure to a “complex mixture” such as river water were obtained. Nile tilapia appears to be a more suitable bioindicator species than African catfish in studying genotoxic chemical pollution in the river Nile attributed to a higher sensitivity.     

Uptake and toxicity of some pesticides on three freshwater fishes (Oreochromis niloticus,Clarias gariepinus and Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus)

Studies were carried out to determine the toxicity of some selected pesticides on fresh water fish in a tropical environment. The uptake of the pesticides lindane, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and propoxur, which are frequently used by farmers and industrialists were studied in concrete ponds at the University of Cape Coast, in Ghana. The fishes used for the study were Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, and Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus, and were obtained from cultured ponds in the Cape Coast District and Mankessim in the Central Region and Weija Dam, in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Single high lethal concentration (SD) or acute treatment and cumulative/chronic (or multiple minor) lethal concentration (CD) treatment were employed in administering the pesticides to the fishes via water. Gas chromatograph (GC) Electron Capture Detector (ECD) analysis was done on the dead fishes to see the extent of ingestion. The LC₅₀ values obtained for lindane on the three fish samples were as follows: Chrysicthys?–?0.38?mg?L^?1; Oreochromis?–?0.42?mg?L^?1, and Clarias?–?1.2?mg?L^?1. Mortalities occurred in fish within 3–5 days of application. For the PCP on Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias species the LC₅₀ values were 0.42, 0.32 and 0.64?mg?L^?1, respectively for over a 2–3 day period. For a three-time influx period of propoxur the LC₅₀ for Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias, were 22.0, 30.40, and 45.04 (all in mg?L^?1), respectively. The results obtained indicated that the pesticides had adverse effects on the general growth and reproduction of fishes. Gonadosomatic indices also showed that the pesticides affected the development of the body, the gonads, and their reproduction.     

Effects of cadmium on metallothionein and histology in gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinities

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sublethal cadmium concentrations on the levels of cadmium, metallothionein (MT) and histological changes in gills of East Java strain tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinity levels. The levels of cadmium in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5 and 10 practical salinity unit (PSU). The cadmium concentrations in gills of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher at 0 PSU than at 5, 10 and 15 PSU. The MT concentrations in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5, and 10 PSU. The MT concentrations of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher than those in respective control groups at 0, 5 and 10 PSU. Significant gill damage occurred in fish exposed to cadmium at lower salinity. The epithelial lifting was noted at gills of fish exposed to 2.5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU, and telangiectasis was observed at gills exposed to 5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU. The level of gill damage decreased with increasing salinity of media. The increased MT and histological changes in gills of our findings could be a protective response of animals to toxic effect of cadmium.     

Acute and chronic toxic effect of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) on biomarker response in post larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricus, 1798)

Metal pollution produces damage to marine organisms at the cellular level possibly leading to ecological imbalance. The present investigation focused on the acute and chronic toxicity of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) by examining the effects of biomarker enzymes in post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Tiger prawn). Antioxidant biomarker responses such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and catalase (CAT) activity for Pb and Zn were determined following chronic exposure. Acute Lethal Concentration ₅₀ (LC₅₀) values observed in the study at 96?h for Pb and Zn at 5.77?±?0.32?mg?L^?1 and 3.02?±?0.82?mg?L^?1, respectively. The estimated No Observed Effect Concentration and Lowest Observed Effect Concentration values for Pb were 0.014 and 0.029?mg?L^?1 and that recorded for Zn was 0.011 and 0.022?mg?L^?1, respectively. Among the two metals studied, toxicity of Zn was found to be greater to P. monodon than Pb. The activities of antioxidant defense enzymes and total protein content differed significantly from control following exposure to both metals. Overall, the biomarker studies demonstrated that alterations in antioxidant enzymes and induction of LPO reflect the consequences of heavy metal exposure in P. monodon.     

14C-Ethion residues in soybean seeds: metabolic pathway,effect of processing,bioavailability, toxicity and protective action of artichoke leaf powder towards rats

The metabolic fate of ethion labeled with ¹⁴C-at the ethyl ester groups in soybean seeds following topical application to leaves was studied. Chromatographic analysis of soybean oil revealed the presence of the parent compound together with four metabolites which were identified as ethion monooxon, ethion dioxon, O-ethyl phosphorothioate and O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate. The effect of processing on ethion residues in soybean oil was investigated. The refined oil contained small amounts of the ¹⁴C-residues originally present (37.5%). Upon feeding rats with the cake containing ethion bound residues, a substantial amount of ¹⁴C-residues was eliminated in the urine (73%), and about 6% excreted with the feces. About 5% of the radioactive residues were distributed among various organs. Mature male Wistar rats were fed on soybean seeds containing ethion residues (1.93 ppm), and on artichoke leaves powder (1% W/W) for four weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the ethion-treated group had a significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. The ethion-treated rats also had a lower total serum protein and albumin levels, as well as acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity as compared with controls. Moreover, concomitant treatment with artichoke leaf powder improved, at least partially, all the biochemical parameters that were altered by ethion.     

Pb2+、Cd2+和Cr(Ⅵ)抑制球形红细菌生长的毒性效应

运用评价化学品对水生生物毒性的标准方法,得到Pb2 、Cd2 和Cr(Ⅵ)对球形红细菌生长的最小无差异浓度(LNOEC)分别为85.9mgL-1、22.1mgL-1和17.7mgL-1.根据实验结果采用几率单位进行数据处理,得到抑制球形红细菌生长的96hEC50分别为195.0mgL-1、91.2mgL-1和77.6mgL-1,并对各剂量反应方程进行χ2检验,结果均符合精度要求,计算出的96hEC50真实可靠.研究结果表明,抑制球形红细菌生长的毒性由大到小的顺序是Cr(Ⅵ)>Cd2 >Pb2 .不同金属离子与细胞壁亲和性不同或能通过菌体内生物化学转化形成沉淀,可能是导致金属离子抑制球形红细菌生长毒性差异的主要原因.图1表2参15     

Evaluation of 3-hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene levels in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after waterborne exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene

3-Hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene (3-OH-BaP), a toxic compound with the ability to covalently bind with the macromolecules (proteins and DNA), is one of the major phenolic metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of 3-OH-BaP in the bile and plasma of Nile tilapia by HPLC with fluorescence detection, after waterborne exposure to BaP (10 and 100?µg?L^?1). Metabolites were detected in bile and plasma, and conjugates of 3-OH-BaP (glucuronide and/or sulphate conjugates) were the majority forms in both biological fluids, glucuronide 3-OH-BaP being the main metabolite in bile. Our data suggest that extrahepatic tissues as intestine or gill are important in BaP metabolism and need to be the considered sources of metabolites released into the blood. Although, low levels of 3-OH-BaP in toxic form (free form) were detected in plasma, one cannot exclude the possibility of circulating the levels leading to adverse effects.     

纳米二氧化钛(nTiO_2)与双酚A对斜生栅藻(Scenedes-mus obliquus)的联合毒性效应

纳米二氧化钛(n Ti O2)在被人们广泛使用的同时,其潜在的环境影响也受到越来越多的关注。为深入探讨n Ti O2与环境中现有污染物的相互作用及生物效应,以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为受试生物,按照毒性单位法、相加指数法和混合毒性指数法,研究了n Ti O2与双酚A(BPA,一种常见的环境类雌激素)的联合毒性效应。结果显示,n Ti O2与BPA对S.obliquus生长的72 h半抑制浓度(EC50)分别为28.7 mg·L-1与1.81 mg·L-1。而n Ti O2与BPA共存时,在不同毒性比(4:1,3:1,2:1,1:1,1:2和1:3)下,其联合毒性作用(以BPA计)的72 h EC50值分别为2.198,1.58,1.153,0.428,0.306和0.189 mg·L-1。两者的联合毒性作用不仅仅是简单的相加,而是随着两者毒性比的变化,由拮抗作用转变为相加作用,继而转变为协同作用。这表明,n Ti O2进入环境后与现有污染物的毒性比(浓度比)可能是其联合毒性作用模式的一个重要影响因素。     

nano-TiO_2与1,2,4-TCB联合作用对斑马鱼鳃组织结构及染色体损伤研究

采用组织病理切片法、微核及彗星试验研究nano-TiO_2和1,2,4-TCB联合染毒对斑马鱼鳃组织结构、细胞微核率及DNA损伤的毒性效应。结果表明,单独nano-TiO_2暴露不会导致斑马鱼鳃组织结构损伤,也不会引起明显的微核及染色体损伤。1,2,4-TCB(≥10 mg·L~(-1))会引起鳃组织和细胞染色体的损伤。nano-TiO_2与1,2,4-TCB联合作用会加重斑马鱼的鳃组织结构损伤,出现鳃小片排列严重紊乱,表皮细胞断失严重,鳃小片上皮细胞坏死脱落,鳃丝结构模糊等症状。两者联合作用会引起鳃细胞微核率增加和彗星细胞率的增加,呈现一定的剂量-效应关系,且两者间的联合作用具有协同作用。对彗星试验的尾部DNA百分比、尾长及尾距的分析发现,与对照组和单独作用相比,两者联合作用对彗星指标均有显著增强作用,这表明两者联合作用对染色体的损伤属于非特定片段损伤。     

Study of the interactions of dissolved organic matter with zinc ion and the impact of competitive metal ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+) by in situ absorbance

The bioavailability and toxicity of zinc to aquatic life depend on dissolved organic matter (DOM), such as Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA), which plays an important role in the speciation of zinc. This study examined reactions of SRFA with zinc at different concentrations from pH 3.0 to 9.0, and competitive binding of calcium/magnesium and zinc to SRFA at pH 6.0, using in situ absorbance. Interactions of Zn²⁺ with SRFA chromophores were evidenced by the emergence of features in Zn-differential spectra. Among all Zn²⁺–SRFA systems, dominant peaks, located at 235, 275 and 385 nm, and the highest intensity at 235 nm indicated the replacement of protons by the bound Zn²⁺. The Zn²⁺ binding with SRFA could be quantified by calculating the changes of the slopes of Zn-differential log-transformed absorbance in the wavelength range of 350–400 nm (denoted as DS_350–400) and by comparing the experimental data with predictions using the Non-Ideal Competitive Adsorption (NICA–Donnan) model. DS_350–400 was correlated well with the bound Zn²⁺ concentrations predicted by NICA–Donnan model with or without Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ only affect intensity of the Zn-differential and Zn-differential log-transformed absorbance, not shape. In situ absorbance can be used to gain further information about Meⁿ⁺–DOM interactions in the presence of various metals.

     

CASS工艺微生物抵抗含Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)锻造添加剂废水毒性的效果

工(产)业园区内企业在紧急情况下排放的污水中,有毒物质会影响污水处理厂活性污泥微生物的活性,甚至导致微生物的死亡.基于此,利用CASS工艺的特点检验微生物系统抗冲击毒性的能力,通过不同的配比浓度调整试验水样中Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)的质量浓度,监测CASS系统进出水的Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)、COD_(cr)指标,用以判断微生物系统是否受到影响,进而确定CASS微生物系统抗毒性冲击的临界点.结果表明:Cu~(2+)质量浓度小于3.0 mg·L~(-1),Ni~(2+)质量浓度小于5.0 mg·L~(-1),时,CASS 工艺微生物抵抗含Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)锻造添加剂废水的毒性能力较强,对Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)、COD_(cr)的去除率均可以达到80%;当Cu~(2+)质量浓度大于3.0 mg·L~(-1),Ni~(2+)质量浓度大于5.0mg·L~(-1)时,CASS工艺微生物对毒性抵抗能力显著降低,活性受到严重破坏,对CU~(2+)、Ni~(2+)、COD_(cr)去除率下降至60%以下.所以可以确定CASS工艺微生物抵抗含Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)锻造添加剂废水毒性的最高质量浓度限值,Cu~(2+)为3.0 mg·L~(-1),Ni~(2+)为5.0mg·L~(-1).为污水处理厂实际运行工程中避免活性污泥微生物系统受毒性冲击而导致运行瘫痪提供参考依据.     

Bioaccumulation of platinum group metals on some fish species ( Oreochromis niloticus,Penaeus laspisulcates,Scylla serrate,Galaxias brevipinnis and Mollusc ) in the Pra estuary of Ghana

Catalytic converters have been designed to solve the problem of pollution from automobiles. However, recent studies have shown that the platinum group metals (PGMs) that are used in the design are being deposited alongside highways. The objective of this study was to measure the levels of PGMs that bioaccumulate in Oreochromis niloticus, Penaeus laspisulcates, Scylla serrate, Galaxias brevipinnis and Mollusc in the river Pra estuary along a major highway in Ghana. Chemical analysis using neutron activation analysis showed accumulation of the PGMs in all the biota species analysed. The S. serrate and mollusc showed higher accumulation than the other species. The mollusc and the other fish species in the estuary are consumed in Ghana, and therefore there is the need to educate the population on the effect of the PGMs on their health.     

纳米水稳型C60（nC60）促进Zn2+和Cr6+ 在大型溞体内的吸收、抗氧化性和急性毒性

富勒烯(C60)作为一种被广泛使用的纳米工程材料,其环境行为和所造成的毒效应越来越引起人们的关注,特别是其与重金属的联合毒性.文章选取模式生物大型溞研究纳米水稳型富勒烯(nC60)与Zn+和Cr6+的联合毒性.按EPA 2024急性毒性试验结果,nC60对大型溞48 h-LC50为0.47 mg·L-1,最大无观察效应浓度(NOEC)为0.10 mg·L-1.NOEC浓度选定为nC60亚急性试验浓度,用于联合毒性试验.nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,Zn2和Cr6+对大型溞48 h-LC50分别由2.33mg·L-1和0.40mg·L-1降低为1.52 mg·L-1和033 mg·L-1;nC60增加了大型溞对Zn2+和Cr6+的摄入,暴露1440 min后体内Zn2+和Cr6+累积量分别由6.52 μg·g-1湿重和1.52 μg·g-1湿重增加到9.98 μg ·g-1湿重和3.01 μg·g-1湿重;nC60和Zn2+和Cr6+联合作用于大型潘后,大型溞SOD酶活性均呈现出增强的诱导现象,联合作用时诱导作用强于两种物质单独作用.此研究表明:在亚急性浓度下,nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,提高了大型潘体内Zn2+和Cr6+的积累,并提高大型溞体内自由基活性.     

Genotoxic effects of Ag2S and CdS nanoparticles in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) haemocytes

The use of functionalised metal sulphide nanoparticles (NPs) for nanoremediation and biomedical application is rapidly increasing, which could lead to significant inputs into the marine environment. The potential impact of some NPs on marine organisms is still poorly understood. In the present paper the genotoxic potential of Ag₂S and CdS NPs on Mytilus edulis haemocytes was assessed. MPEG-SH (thiol-terminated methyl polyethylene glycol), was used as capping agent to avoid NPs agglomeration. TEM analysis showed that the Ag₂S NPs size was 13±7 nm, whereas CdS quantum dots had an average diameter of 4±1 nm. DNA integrity was evaluated by Comet assay following exposure to increasing concentration series (0.01–10 mg/L). Both silver and cadmium NPs showed genotoxic effects at the highest dose. MPEG-SH was also found to exert a weak genotoxic activity, suggesting that at least part of the genotoxic potential of functionalised NPs on mussel cells might be attributable to the capping agent. These results confirm the genotoxic potential of Ag₂S NPs for mussel cells and demonstrated, for the first time, that CdS NPs is genotoxic in a marine organism.     

离子强度对土壤与沉积物吸附多环芳烃的影响研究

以黄河三角洲表层沉积物与湿地土壤为对象,研究了离子强度对菲、苯并[a]芘在土壤和沉积物上吸附行为的影响。结果表明:不同Ca2 离子强度下,土壤与沉积物对菲、苯并[a]芘的吸附速率均较快,48h吸附能够达到平衡,Ca2 离子强度对土壤和沉积物影响程度不同;土壤和沉积物的吸附等温线均呈线形,能较好地符合线性方程,可决系数R2在0.98以上,菲的KD值在24~130mL·g-1之间,苯并[a]芘的KD值在3517~5081mL·g-1;随着体系离子强度的增大,土壤与沉积物对PAHs的吸附能力均降低,而且两者之间的吸附量差距明显降低,表明离子强度对土壤影响程度明显大于沉积物。     

Effects of Cd2+ exposure on key life history traits and activities of four metabolic enzymes in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidopteran: Noctuidae)

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic non-essential element accumulated easily in living organisms due to its non-biodegradable nature. A slight increase in Cd levels will threaten the health of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Therefore, Cd contamination and its effects on the ecosystems and organisms have become a major topic of eco-toxicological research. The present study investigated the eco-toxicological effects of Cd-supplemented diet on some life history traits and specific enzyme activities of carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. The results showed that Cd significantly decreased larval survival, pupation and emergence, and reduced body mass of the sixth instar larvae, pupae, adult moths and female fecundity. Cd-supplemented diet also delayed the development of larvae and pupae and shortened the life span of the cotton bollworm moth. In addition, dietary Cd inhibited the activities of GST, CarE and P450, but increased AChE activity of the sixth instar larvae. We concluded that life history traits and metabolic enzymes are sensitive to Cd stress in the cotton bollworm. These parameters are potential biomarkers for monitoring environmental stress in Lepidopteran insect pests.