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Utility of Larval Zebrafish Behavior: Comparison of Behavioral and Developmental Toxicity
Citation:
Hill, B., M. Waalkes, D. Hunter, J. Hedge, K. Jarema, J. Olin, AND S. Padilla. Utility of Larval Zebrafish Behavior: Comparison of Behavioral and Developmental Toxicity. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry SETAC Hybrid meeting, NA (Virtual), NC, November 14 - 18, 2021. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.17332040
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation to the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting November 2021. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed an early life stage vertebrate assay which assesses both developmental and behavioral endpoints in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to chemicals during development. The data from these larval toxicity assays can be used to compare the sensitivity of behavioral assays to traditional developmental toxicity assays. It was found that many chemicals affected zebrafish behavior at exposure concentrations far below those that affected developmental (e.g. mortality or morphology changes) endpoints. Therefore, incorporating behavioral changes as an indicator of chemical exposures into traditional environmental studies should strengthen the robustness and sensitivity of assessments.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed an early life stage vertebrate assay which assesses both developmental and behavioral endpoints in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to chemicals during development. This larval toxicity assay was tested to screen 88 chemicals to determine the potential chemical influence on 6-day old zebrafish development or behavior at concentrations ≤ 120 µM. These chemical screens resulted in varying relationships between developmental (e.g. mortality or morphology changes) and behavioral toxicity. Some of these relationships included behavioral alterations while no developmental toxicity was observed at any concentration or observing behavioral changes markedly below chemical concentrations that caused developmental toxicity. For example, some chemicals (e.g., paraquat, cyclophosphamide, or 6-aminonicotinamide) elicited behavioral effects without causing any developmental toxicity (highest concentration was 120 µM). In addition, amphetamine induced significant hyperactivity at concentrations (0.4-1.2 µM) in both light and dark photoperiods while developmental effects were not observed until 120 µM. Finding behavioral changes either in the absence of developmental effects or at concentrations far below those eliciting developmental changes highlights the sensitivity of behavior as a toxicological endpoint. Many, but not all, of the chemicals causing these responses are known cholinesterase inhibitors or other types of neuroactive compounds. Behavioral changes can affect an organism’s ability to feed and reproduce, or increase the susceptibility to predation--all of which may influence the overall health and success of a population. Therefore, incorporating behavioral changes as an indicator of chemical exposures into traditional environmental studies should strengthen the robustness and sensitivity of assessments. This abstract may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Utility of Larval Zebrafish Behavior: Comparison of Behavioral and Developmental Toxicity
B HILL SETAC NA 2021 POSTER FINAL.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 867.971 KB, about PDF)