Oral exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 2,4,6-tribromophenol affects reproduction. 2010

Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden. anna.norman@bvf.slu.se

The bromophenol 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) is widely used as an industrial chemical, formed by degradation of tetrabromobisphenol-A, and it occurs naturally in marine organisms. Concentrations of TBP in fish have been related to intake via feed, but little is known about effects on fish health after oral exposure. In this study, we exposed adult male and female zebrafish (Danio rerio) to TBP via feed in nominal concentrations of 33, 330, and 3300 μg/g feed (or control feed) for 6 weeks to assess the effects of TBP on reproductive output, gonad morphology, circulatory vitellogenin levels, and early embryo development. The aim was also to investigate the extent to which TBP was metabolised to 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) in dietary exposed zebrafish, and the amounts of TBP and TBA found in offspring. After 6 weeks of exposure, we found about 3% of the daily dose of TBP in adult fish and the mean concentration of TBA was 25-30% of the TBP concentration. TBP and TBA were detected in offspring with wet weight-based egg/fish concentration ratios well below one. Exposure to TBP significantly reduced the fertilization success and disturbed the gonad morphology, i.e. fewer spermatid cysts in males and increased presence of atretic follicles and oocytes with decreased vitellogenesis in females. In females, the disturbed gonad morphology was accompanied by increased levels of circulating vitellogenin. Significant effects were observed at 3300 μg/g feed. Offspring early development was not significantly affected, but yolk-sac oedema tended to increase in frequency in exposed groups with time. Our results show that dietary exposure to TBP, at concentrations found in marine organisms that are part of the natural diet of wild fish, can interfere with reproduction in zebrafish. We also observed low accumulation from feed of TBP in zebrafish and biotransformation of TBP to TBA. This is the first paper showing gonadal histopathological changes and effects on fertility in TBP exposed fish.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010063 Ovum A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the OVARY at OVULATION. Egg,Egg, Unfertilized,Ova,Eggs, Unfertilized,Unfertilized Egg,Unfertilized Eggs
D010636 Phenols Benzene derivatives that include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the ring structure.
D012098 Reproduction The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed) Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D005260 Female Females
D005306 Fertilization The fusion of a spermatozoon (SPERMATOZOA) with an OVUM thus resulting in the formation of a ZYGOTE. Conception,Fertilization, Delayed,Fertilization, Polyspermic,Conceptions,Delayed Fertilization,Delayed Fertilizations,Fertilizations,Fertilizations, Delayed,Fertilizations, Polyspermic,Polyspermic Fertilization,Polyspermic Fertilizations
D006066 Gonads The gamete-producing glands, OVARY or TESTIS. Gonad
D000284 Administration, Oral The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth. Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000840 Anisoles A group of compounds that are derivatives of methoxybenzene and contain the general formula R-C7H7O. Methylphenyl Ethers,Ethers, Methylphenyl

Related Publications

Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
May 2013, Environmental toxicology,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
January 2017, Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands),
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
April 2011, Chemosphere,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
October 2006, Anatomia, histologia, embryologia,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
March 2021, Ecotoxicology and environmental safety,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
July 2022, Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
February 2010, Toxicology and applied pharmacology,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
March 2018, British journal of pharmacology,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
March 2023, Environmental toxicology and pharmacology,
Anna Norman Haldén, and Jenny Rattfelt Nyholm, and Patrik L Andersson, and Henrik Holbech, and Leif Norrgren
January 2013, Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie,
Copied contents to your clipboard!