Earthworm Reproduction Test (Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei) (OECD TG 222)
The Earthworm Reproduction Test according to OECD TG 222 is a chronic toxicity study designed to assess the effects of chemicals on the survival and reproductive performance of soil-dwelling earthworms (Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei). This test provides essential information on the long-term ecological impact of substances on soil invertebrate populations.
In this study, adult earthworms are exposed to a range of concentrations of the test substance incorporated into artificial or natural soil under controlled laboratory conditions for typically 56 days. During the exposure period, endpoints such as adult survival, growth (weight change), and reproduction (number of cocoons produced and juvenile emergence) are monitored.
The results are used to establish concentration–response relationships and to derive key endpoints, including the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) for both survival and reproduction.
This test provides critical data for the environmental risk assessment of chemicals affecting soil ecosystems, helping to ensure sustainable soil health and biodiversity protection.
