Assessment of the hazard effect of an environmental pollutant, (2-OH-BDE 123), by using zebrafish embryos

Abstract

To monitor general toxicity of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), embryos of zebrafish were exposed to gradual concentrations of 2-OH-BDE 123 (hydroxy-brominated diphenyl ethers). Exposures were done by immersion of 1 hour post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish eggs to 72 hpf, nominal concentration range of 0.03 : 2.5 μM. Embryos/ larvae were assessed daily for death and structural defects. Results revealed that concentrations from 0.3 μM of such metabolites were toxic to the developing zebrafish causing serious morphological alterations and internal deformations. Both toxicity incidence and potency were correlated with the concentration applied. In conclusion, these compounds induced several teratogenic effects.