Oxidized respiratory molecules induced in vivo by nitrite in Pontodrilus littoralis (oligochaeta)

Abstract 1. The in vivo effect of nitrite has been investigated in Pontodrilus littoralis . 2. Exposure of the animals at nitrite concentrations (0.05–0.1%) produced methaemoglobin and hemichromes. 3. Disappearance of oxidized forms was obtained when normal rearing conditions were restored. 4. Longer exposure to higher nitrite concentrations produced irreversible oxidized forms.