We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
PBDE flame retardant exposure causes neurobehavioral and transcriptional effects in first-generation but not second-generation offspring fish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Atlantic killifish to the flame retardant BDE-99 and found that neurobehavioral effects appeared in first-generation offspring — including altered photomotor responses and reduced anxiety-like behavior — but did not persist into the second generation, with maternal factors playing a key role beyond the chemical transfer alone.
Environmental pollutants can have lasting effects that extend beyond the exposure period, potentially impacting multiple generations. Despite the widespread presence of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in the environment including oceans globally, there is limited understanding of their potential for multigenerational toxicity. We investigated whether exposures to 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), a predominant PBDE congener, can induce neurobehavioral and molecular effects across two generations using the marine vertebrate model fish Fundulus heteroclitus (Atlantic killifish). To assess how exposure route influences outcomes, we conducted two complementary experiments: in the progenitor exposure experiment, adult fish were exposed to BDE-99 through diet, leading to maternal transfer into F1 eggs, while in the direct embryonic exposure experiment, embryos were exposed to BDE-99 via waterborne exposure, achieving comparable embryonic doses. Both exposure routes resulted in altered photomotor responses in F1 larvae, but additional effects differed by exposure route. In the progenitor exposure, maternally exposed F1 juvenile fish exhibited reduced anxiety-like behavior and changes in brain gene expression, while in the direct embryonic exposure, F0 fish showed no detectable effects within their generation but caused behavioral alterations in F1 descendants. The lack of effects in direct F0 individuals suggests that neurobehavioral effects observed in maternally exposed F1 fish were not solely due to BDE-99 transfer but were influenced by additional maternal factors. In the progenitor exposure, neither behavioral nor gene expression effects persisted in the F2 generation. We conclude that maternal influences play a key role in shaping multigenerational effects of BDE-99 exposure, as indicated by the strong effects observed in maternally exposed F1 fish but not in F2 descendants, as well as the differences between maternally exposed fish and those exposed to comparable doses of BDE-99 alone.
More Papers Like This
PBDE Flame Retardant Exposure Causes Neurobehavioral and Transcriptional Effects in First-Generation but Not Second-Generation Offspring Fish
AI summary Read the abstract
This study demonstrates that exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of flame retardants commonly found in plastics and electronics, alters both behavior and gene expression in exposed organisms. Neurobehavioral changes suggest disruption of nervous system development, while transcriptomic analysis reveals widespread effects on gene regulatory pathways. The findings add to growing evidence linking plastic-associated chemical additives to neurological and developmental harm.
Multigenerational effects of selected environmental contaminants in fishes: A comprehensive review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined how environmental contaminants, including microplastics, affect fish across multiple generations rather than just a single life stage. Researchers found that long-term exposure can cause developmental, behavioral, and reproductive problems that may carry over to future generations through epigenetic changes like DNA methylation. The findings suggest that studying only one generation of exposure may significantly underestimate the true ecological impact of these pollutants.
Developmental exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces persistent neurobehavioral changes and alters later-life susceptibility to hexabromocyclododecane in zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics during early development and tracked behavioral effects into adulthood. The study found that early-life nanoplastic exposure caused persistent reductions in locomotor activity and altered how adult fish responded to a common flame retardant chemical. Evidence indicates that epigenetic changes, including altered DNA methylation and gene expression patterns, may underlie these long-lasting behavioral effects.
Evaluation of cross-generational exposure to microplastics and co-occurring contaminants on embryonic and larval behavior in fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed adult fathead minnows to microplastics, both alone and combined with the synthetic estrogen EE2, then studied behavioral effects in their offspring. Embryos from parents exposed to the low-dose combination showed reduced activity, while hatched larvae from microplastic-exposed parents were more active than controls. The findings suggest that parental microplastic exposure can influence early life-stage behavior across generations in freshwater fish.
Multigenerational effects of combined exposure of triphenyltin and micro/nanoplastics on marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma): From molecular levels to behavioral response
AI summary Read the abstract
This study exposed marine medaka fish to a combination of micro/nanoplastics and triphenyltin, a toxic chemical used in paints and plastics. The pollutants caused oxidative stress, hormone imbalances, and behavioral changes that carried over to the next generation of fish. The findings show that microplastics combined with other environmental pollutants can cause harm that gets passed down to offspring, raising concerns about long-term effects on marine food webs.
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.