Developmental exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol affects non-reproductive behavior and fertility as adults, and increases anxiety in unexposed progeny

• Exposure to estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EDCs) during development affects fertility, reproductive and nonreproductive behavior in mammals and fish. These effects can also be transferred to coming generations. In fish, the effects of developmental EDC exposure on non-reproductive behavior are less well studied. Here, we analyze the effects of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on anxiety, shoaling behavior and fertility in zebrafish after developmental treatment and remediation in clean water until adulthood. Zebrafish embryos were exposed from day 1 to day 80 post fertilization to actual concentrations of 1.2 and 1.6 ng/L EE2. After remediation for 82 days non-reproductive behavior and fertilization success were analyzed in both sexes. Males and females from the 1.2 ng/L group, as well as control males and females, were bred, and behavior of the untreated F1 offspring was tested as adults. Developmental treatment with 12 and 1.6 ng/L EE2 significantly increased anxiety in the novel tank test and increased shoaling intensity in both sexes. Fertilization success was significantly reduced by EE2 in both sexes when mated with untreated fish of opposite sex. Progeny of fish treated with 1.2 ng/L EE2 showed increased anxiety in the novel tank test and increased light avoidance in the scototaxis test compared to control offspring. In conclusion, developmental exposure of zebrafish to low doses of EE2 resulted in persistent changes in behavior and fertility. The behavior of unexposed progeny was affected by their parents' exposure, which might suggest transgenerational effects.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Endocrine disruptors

17 alpha-Ethinylestradiol

Stress behavior

Developmental exposure

Zebrafish

Neuroendocrinology

Social behavior

Anxiety

F1 effects

Fertility

Biology

Biologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)