Long-term exposure to polycyclic musk tonalide - A potential threat to juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio)?

• Published in: Veterinární medicína Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 218 - 224
• Main Authors: Cahova, J, Blahova, J, Plhalova, L, Marsalek, P, Doubkova, V, Hostovsky, M, Divisova, L, Mares, J, Faggio, C, Svobodova, Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 29.05.2023
• Subjects: aquatic contamination; endocrine disruptor; Original Paper; oxidative stress; personal care products; vitellogenin
• ISSN: 0375-8427; 1805-9392
• DOI: 10.17221/40/2023-VETMED

Polycyclic musk compounds are commonly used in personal care products to replace expensive natural fragrances. Due to their huge consumption, they have become a part of the aquatic environment. In the present study, a two-month exposure effect of tonalide on juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) was investigated. We determined the vitellogenin concentration to define the potential endocrine-disrupting effect of tonalide and also analysed selected indices to evaluate the induction of oxidative stress. The environmentally relevant concentration of tonalide (i.e., 500 ng/l) caused a significant decrease in the catalase activity (P < 0.05) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the lipid peroxidation. An increasing lipid peroxidation was also recorded for the highest concentration group tested (i.e., 50 000 ng/l). On the other hand, no significant changes were recorded in vitellogenin in all the exposed groups. Thus, based on these results, we have not demonstrated the endocrine-disrupting activity of tonalide in zebrafish. The results of the oxidative stress indices showed a significant impairment of the antioxidant defence after the two-month tonalide exposure, which could indicate part of the adaptive response to the tonalide toxicity.