Assessment of Caenorhabditis Elegans Germline Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis for Heavy Metals Toxicity Testing

Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) are common transition metals found in the environment. The toxic effects of Cd on human health have received considerable concerns. Cu is the trace essential element, however, excess amounts of copper causes toxic effects to life. To have a better understand of the impacts of heavy metals exposure on human beings as well as other animals, many bioassay systems have been developed. In the present study, we show here that Cd and Cu exposure cause dose- and time-dependent germline cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in C. elegans. And, these sublethal endpoints provide useful alternatives for heavy metals toxicity testing with C. elegans.