Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Multi-biomarkers hazard assessment of microplastics with different polymers by acute embryo test and chronic larvae test with zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers compared the toxicity of four common microplastic types to zebrafish using both short-term embryo and longer-term larval tests. While none of the microplastics affected embryo development at environmentally relevant concentrations, chronic exposure caused accelerated heartbeat rates and altered swimming behavior in larvae. The study highlights that different polymer types produce varying toxic effects and that longer-term exposure assessments may be more revealing than short-term tests.

2023 Aquatic Toxicology 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Morphometric effects of various weathered and virgin/pure microplastics on sac fry zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed sac fry zebrafish (Danio rerio) to weathered and virgin microplastics of various polymer types and found significant morphometric developmental effects, with weathered plastics generally causing greater biological harm than virgin counterparts due to differences in surface chemistry and plasticizer content.

2021 AIMS environmental science 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration in Zebrafish

This review covers how micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure affects neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration in zebrafish, summarising evidence on impaired neurodevelopment, behavioural changes, and markers of neurodegeneration from studies using various polymer types and exposure routes. It frames zebrafish as a key model for understanding MNP neurotoxicity.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Limnic Ecosystems - Investigation of Biological Fate and Effects of Microplastic Particles and Associated Contaminants in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)-

This doctoral thesis investigated how microplastics and their associated chemical contaminants affect zebrafish (Danio rerio) in freshwater environments, including ingestion, tissue accumulation, and toxicological effects. The research demonstrates that microplastics can act as vectors for pollutants like pesticides and pharmaceuticals, compounding their harmful effects on aquatic organisms.

2020 heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of phenotypic and behavioral toxicity of micro- and nano-plastic polystyrene particles in larval zebrafish ( Danio rerio )

Researchers exposed larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) to six sizes (0.05–10.2 µm) and multiple concentrations of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics and assessed toxicity using embryo and behavioral assays. Smaller particles and higher concentrations caused greater phenotypic and behavioral toxicity, with particle uptake and organ distribution confirmed, establishing size as a key determinant of polystyrene MP toxicity in a vertebrate developmental model.

2025 NRC Digital Repository
Article Tier 2

From particle size to brain function: a zebrafish-based review of micro/nanoplastic-induced neurobehavioral toxicity and mechanistic pathways

This review uses zebrafish as a model to examine how micro- and nanoplastics cause neurobehavioral toxicity, linking particle size to brain function disruption. Researchers summarize evidence that these plastic particles impair fish behavior and cause molecular-level damage in the nervous system. The findings highlight the growing concern that micro- and nanoplastics are emerging neurotoxicants in aquatic environments.

2025 Environmental Science Nano 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Danio rerio as a Model Animal for Assessing Microplastic Toxicity

This review examines the use of zebrafish as a model organism for assessing microplastic toxicity, summarizing experimental findings across polymer types and sizes showing that microplastic exposure induces epithelial damage, lipid metabolism disruption, reproductive impairment, and neurobehavioral alterations, and discussing the strengths and limitations of Danio rerio for microplastic hazard assessment.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation of various nanoplastic particles in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 40-60 nm and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastic particles using standard fish embryo toxicity and general behavioral toxicity assays from 6-120 hours post-fertilization, combining toxicity endpoints with fluorescence microscopy to confirm particle uptake and excretion. The study demonstrated nanoplastic accumulation within zebrafish larvae at tested concentrations, providing mechanistic insights into aquatic organism exposure dynamics for nanoplastics.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Effects of pristine or contaminated polyethylene microplastics on zebrafish development

Researchers examined the effects of both pristine and pollutant-contaminated polyethylene microplastics on zebrafish development through chronic exposure. The study assessed how microplastics, both alone and as carriers of adsorbed organic pollutants, affect developing fish. The findings provide new insights into how contaminated microplastics may create additional routes for toxic compounds to enter aquatic food webs.

2022 Chemosphere 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics

This review examines the use of zebrafish as a model organism for evaluating the toxicity of microplastics, synthesizing research on how microplastic exposure affects development, reproduction, and physiological function in this well-established vertebrate model. The authors highlight zebrafish as a particularly valuable system for mechanistic toxicology studies given its genetic tractability and the breadth of endpoints assessable across life stages.

2022 SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic effects of polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics on the zebrafish cardiovascular system and their differential mechanisms

Researchers compared the cardiovascular toxicity of polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics in zebrafish larvae, examining effects on heart development, oxidative stress, and cell death. Both types of microplastics caused cardiovascular damage, but they operated through different molecular mechanisms, with polystyrene primarily triggering oxidative stress while polyethylene more strongly induced cell death pathways. The findings indicate that the chemical composition of microplastics matters significantly when assessing their health effects.

2025 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Initial Assessment the Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on the Growth of Zebrafish Embryos Danio rerio

Exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to polyethylene microplastics over 96 hours increased mortality rates and caused morphological abnormalities including pericardial edema and yolk sac deformities. The study provided initial toxicological evidence of PE microplastic developmental toxicity in a standard aquatic model organism.

2024 VNU Journal of Science Earth and Environmental Sciences
Article Tier 2

Toxicological Evaluation of Microplastic Extracts in Zebrafish Behavior by Light–Dark and Startle Response Assays

Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of chemical extracts leached from microplastics on zebrafish behavior using light-dark preference and startle response tests. The study found that microplastic leachates altered fish behavioral patterns, indicating that chemicals released from degraded plastics can have measurable neurobehavioral effects on aquatic organisms.

2026 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
Article Tier 2

Zebrafish Insights into Nanomaterial Toxicity: A Focused Exploration on Metallic, Metal Oxide, Semiconductor, and Mixed-Metal Nanoparticles

This review summarizes research on how various nanomaterials, including nano-sized plastics, affect zebrafish, which are commonly used as stand-ins for studying human health effects. Exposure to nanomaterials caused developmental defects, organ damage, behavioral changes, and reproductive problems in zebrafish. These findings help scientists understand the potential health risks of nanomaterial exposure to humans and the environment.

2024 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of phenotypic and behavioral toxicity of micro- and nano-plastic polystyrene particles in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene particles ranging from 50 nanometers to 10 micrometers and found that nearly all sizes caused physical abnormalities and changes in swimming behavior. Smaller particles were taken up more readily and distributed to organs including the brain and gut. These findings are relevant to human health because zebrafish share many biological pathways with humans, and the results suggest that both micro- and nano-sized plastics can cause developmental harm.

2025 Toxicological Sciences 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the embryotoxicity of polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics generated through simulated environmental weathering in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers generated environmentally weathered polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics through combined UV and mechanical degradation and exposed zebrafish embryos, finding accelerated hatching, abnormal spontaneous movements, altered swimming behavior, and particle accumulation on the egg surface — indicating meaningful developmental and behavioral toxicity during early life stages.

2026 NanoImpact
Article Tier 2

Developmental toxicity of functionalized polystyrene microplastics and their inhibitory effects on fin regeneration in zebrafish

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics with different surface modifications and found that all types caused developmental toxicity, including increased mortality, reduced body length, and impaired swimming ability. The amino-modified particles were generally the most harmful, also inhibiting fin regeneration after injury. The study suggests that surface chemistry plays a critical role in determining how microplastics interact with biological systems.

2025 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Developmental Effects of a Non-Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Not relevant to microplastics — this study examines how a mixture of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) affects the development, behavior, and heart function of zebrafish, with no microplastic component.

2023
Article Tier 2

Biomarker responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae exposed to pristine low-density polyethylene fragments

Researchers exposed zebrafish larvae to pristine low-density polyethylene microplastics and measured biomarker responses, finding altered oxidative stress and metabolic indicators even in early developmental stages.

2017 Environmental Pollution 153 citations
Article Tier 2

Dose Dependent Effects of Two Polymeric Materials and Similarities with Certain Drugs

Zebrafish exposed repeatedly to polyethylene microplastics showed dose-dependent anxiogenic (anxiety-like) behaviour, while polypropylene microplastics produced the opposite, anxiolytic effect, with both polymers altering swimming performance over 120 hours. The contrasting neurobehavioural responses to different polymer types suggest that lumping all microplastics together in toxicity assessments may obscure important differences in their effects on the nervous system.

2023 CURRENT TRENDS IN NATURAL SCIENCES 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of zebrafish exposure to high-density polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics at molecular and histological levels

This study exposed zebrafish to high-density polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics and used genomic analysis to identify which biological pathways were most affected, finding widespread disruption of immune function, metabolism, and stress response genes. The transcriptomic approach reveals that different plastic types activate distinct molecular stress responses in fish.

2018 Use Siena air (University of Siena)
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics in the Environment and the Effects on the Zebrafish

This study reviewed the effects of nanoplastic exposure on zebrafish, covering how these tiny particles affect development, organ function, behavior, and reproductive success. Zebrafish are a widely used model organism for toxicology, and findings in this species provide insight into potential effects in other vertebrates including humans.

2019 American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Advantages of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in solving contemporary problems of neurotoxicity, teratotoxicity and genotoxicity of xenobiotics

This paper is not about microplastics per se; it is a Polish-language review of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in toxicology, covering its use for assessing neurotoxicity, teratotoxicity, and genotoxicity of xenobiotics including nanoparticles and microplastics, with discussion of the micronucleus and comet assays used to detect genetic damage.

2023 Farmacja Polska 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Multi-Laboratory Hazard Assessment of Contaminated Microplastic Particles by Means of Enhanced Fish Embryo Test With the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A multi-laboratory study using an enhanced zebrafish embryo test assessed the hazard of microplastics contaminated with environmental pollutants, finding that the combination of plastics and sorbed chemicals caused greater toxicity than either alone. The inter-laboratory approach helps validate this testing method for regulatory use in assessing microplastic hazards.

2019 Frontiers in Environmental Science 47 citations