Toxicity of Al(2)O(3)-NPs, as compared to that of Al(2)O(3), to L1-larval, L4-larval or young adult nematodes was evaluated. When exposure was performed at L1-larval stage, the significant increases of lethality, stress response, and intestinal lipofuscin autofluorescence were observed in 6.3-203.9 mg/L of Al(2)O(3)-NPs exposed nematodes. In contrast, when exposure was performed at L4-larval or young adult stage, the significant increases of lethality and intestinal lipofuscin autofluorescence were observed in 12.7-203.9 mg/L of Al(2)O(3)-NPs exposed nematodes, and the significant inductions of stress response were detected in 25.5-203.9 mg/L of Al(2)O(3)-NPs exposed nematodes. Moreover, the lethality was significantly correlated with the stress response and the intestinal lipofuscin autofluorescence in Al(2)O(3)-NPs exposed nematodes. These data imply that Al(2)O(3)-NPs exposure in L1 larvae causes more severe lethality toxicity than in L4 larvae or young adults by strengthening the formation of stress response and intestinal lipofuscin accumulation in nematodes.
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