We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Embryotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics in zebrafish Danio rerio
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics during early development and observed serious physical deformities, particularly in the spine, tail, and eyes, despite no increase in mortality. The exposed larvae also showed elevated expression of genes involved in oxidative stress defense and cellular detoxification. The findings suggest that microplastics can disrupt critical developmental stages in freshwater fish even when they do not directly cause death.
In the recent years, increasing scientific and societal concern has been raised over the presence and accumulation of plastic debris in the environment and the effects of microplastics (MPs) that can easily interact with biota. In order to elucidate the impact of MPs at the critical development stages of freshwater fish species, a fish embryo toxicity test was herein performed on the zebrafish Danio rerio, exposed to 10 μm polystyrene MPs at 200 particles/mL for 120 hpf. After exposure, accumulation of MPs in larvae was measured, survival, hatching and larvae development were monitored and the oxidant/anti-oxidant responses and cellular detoxification evaluated. No impact on survival of developing zebrafish was revealed, but a moderate delay in hatching was observed. Alterations in larvae development were recorded with zebrafish exhibiting serious deformities, mainly at the level of column and tail, as well as a compromised integrity of the visual structure of the eyes. Moreover, increased levels of gene transcription involved in the oxidative stress (sod1, sod2 and cat) and in cellular detoxification (gst and cyp) were also detected in MPs-exposed zebrafish larvae. Overall, this research work provides new insights on the ecotoxicological impact of polystyrene MPs on the critical developmental stages of a freshwater fish species, therefore enhancing the current knowledge of the environmental risk posed by MPs to the aquatic ecosystem.
More Papers Like This
Exposure to polystyrene microplastics induced gene modulated biological responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics and analyzed changes in gene expression related to immune response, oxidative stress, and endocrine function. They found that microplastic exposure modulated genes involved in inflammation and detoxification pathways, indicating biological stress at the molecular level. The study provides evidence that microplastics can trigger gene-level disruptions in fish even before visible physical symptoms appear.
Morphological Alterations in the Early Developmental Stages of Zebrafish (Danio rerio; Hamilton 1822) Induced by Exposure to Polystyrene Microparticles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae to three environmentally relevant concentrations of 100-micrometer polystyrene microplastics, finding no mortality but dose-dependent morphological alterations including pigmentation deficiency and head region abnormalities, with the integrated biomarker response index sensitive to all three concentrations tested.
Exposure to microplastics decreases swimming competence in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles adhered to egg surfaces before being ingested into the stomach and intestines after hatching. At higher concentrations, exposed larvae showed significantly reduced swimming distance and speed, along with upregulated genes related to inflammation and oxidative stress. The study suggests that microplastic exposure can impair swimming ability in larval fish, which could have broader ecological consequences for population fitness.
Polystyrene Nanoplastic Exposure Induces Developmental Toxicity by Activating the Oxidative Stress Response and Base Excision Repair Pathway in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and found significant developmental abnormalities including reduced hatching rates and increased malformations. The nanoplastics activated oxidative stress responses and DNA repair pathways, indicating cellular damage during critical early development stages. The study provides mechanistic evidence for how nanoplastic exposure can disrupt normal embryonic development in aquatic organisms.
Polystyrene nanoplastics cause developmental abnormalities, oxidative damage and immune toxicity in early zebrafish development
AI summary Read the abstract
Zebrafish embryos exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics showed dose-dependent developmental problems including delayed hatching, reduced survival, smaller body size, and the nanoplastics accumulated in critical organs like the eyes, heart, liver, and brain. The particles triggered oxidative stress that damaged cells and activated inflammatory immune responses, demonstrating how nanoplastic contamination in water can cause widespread harm to developing organisms.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.