Citation:

Hedge, J. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Models To Assess Acute, Developmental, And Neurodevelopmental Toxicity. 43 rd Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 09 - 13, 2018.

Impact/Purpose:

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) acute, developmental, and neurodevelopmental model systems have been developed to assess both known and unknown environmental contaminants. Developmental toxicity is assessed using death and dysmorphology as endpoints, whereas neurodevelopmental toxicity is assessed using a locomotor behavior assay at 6 days post fertilization (dpf). This model has been used to test organophosphorus pesticides and a variety of developmentally neurotoxic chemicals to date. Some of these chemicals have been shown in the literature to alter swimming and schooling behaviors in fish which can drastically impact the ability of fish to feed, avoid predators, and defend their territory. Additionally, some pesticides are lipophilic and accumulation of such chemicals in fish harvested for food is also of concern.These model systems and data generated may be used to prioritize chemicals for further testing or inform human and ecological risk assessments.

Description:

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) acute, developmental, and neurodevelopmental model systems have been developed to assess both known and unknown environmental contaminants. Developmental toxicity is assessed using death and dysmorphology as endpoints, whereas neurodevelopmental toxicity is assessed using a locomotor behavior assay at 6 days post fertilization (dpf). This model has been used to test organophosphorus pesticides and a variety of developmentally neurotoxic chemicals to date. Some of these chemicals have been shown in the literature to alter swimming and schooling behaviors in fish which can drastically impact the ability of fish to feed, avoid predators, and defend their territory. Additionally, some pesticides are lipophilic and accumulation of such chemicals in fish harvested for food is also of concern. In this model system, zebrafish embryos are exposed to chemicals added to their water daily for 0 to 4 dpf and changed to buffer without chemical on days 5 and 6 (depuration). At 6 dpf locomotor activity is assessed in a light:dark testing paradigm to determine if developmental exposure has affected brain development. Fish are also examined for death and dysmorphology. For acute exposures, 6 day old zebrafish larvae are exposed to a single dose of chemical in their water and then locomotor behavior is evaluated followed by assessment for death and dysmorpholgy. Data are analyzed to determine the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for the tested chemical. These model systems and data generated may be used to prioritize chemicals for further testing or inform human and ecological risk assessments

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