Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures
Diflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are larvicides used in crops to control insect plagues. However, these pesticides are known to impact non-target organisms like fish and mammals. Here, we aimed at assessing the embryotoxicity of purified DFB, PPF, and their mixtures in a non-target organis...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/160 |
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| author | Júlia Robert de Sousa Teixeira Augusto Monteiro de Souza João Vitor de Macedo-Sampaio Fabiano Peres Menezes Bruno Fiorelini Pereira Silvia Regina Batistuzzo de Medeiros Ana Carolina Luchiari |
| author_facet | Júlia Robert de Sousa Teixeira Augusto Monteiro de Souza João Vitor de Macedo-Sampaio Fabiano Peres Menezes Bruno Fiorelini Pereira Silvia Regina Batistuzzo de Medeiros Ana Carolina Luchiari |
| author_sort | Júlia Robert de Sousa Teixeira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are larvicides used in crops to control insect plagues. However, these pesticides are known to impact non-target organisms like fish and mammals. Here, we aimed at assessing the embryotoxicity of purified DFB, PPF, and their mixtures in a non-target organism—zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations for 120 h: 0.025, 0.125, 0.25, 1.25, 2.5, and 10 mg/L of purified PPF and purified DFB, while we used 0.025 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix A), 0.125 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix B), and 0.25 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix C) for the mixtures of PPF + DFB. We observed mortality, teratogenicity, and cardiotoxicity. For the neurotoxicity tests and evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain, embryos were exposed for 120 h to 0.379 and 0.754 mg/L of PPF and 0.025 and 0.125 mg/L of DFB. We established the LC<sub>50</sub> for PPF as 3.79 mg/L, while the LC<sub>50</sub> for DFB was not determinable. Survival and hatching were affected by PPF concentrations above 0.125 mg/L, DFB concentrations above 1.25 mg/L, and the lower pesticide mixtures. PPF exposure and mixtures induced different types of malformations, while a higher number of malformations were observed for the mixtures, suggesting a potentiating effect. Pesticides diminished avoidance responses and increased the levels of ROS across all concentrations, indicating neurotoxicity. Our findings underscore the detrimental impact of PPF and DFB exposure, spanning from biochemistry to morphology. There is a critical need to reconsider the global use of these pesticides and transition to more ecologically friendly forms of pest control, raising an alarm regarding repercussions on human and animal health and well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:11:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1abf8afff9824a7c9465746012a0948a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:11:46Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj.art-1abf8afff9824a7c9465746012a0948a2024-02-23T15:36:28ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042024-02-0112216010.3390/toxics12020160Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its MixturesJúlia Robert de Sousa Teixeira0Augusto Monteiro de Souza1João Vitor de Macedo-Sampaio2Fabiano Peres Menezes3Bruno Fiorelini Pereira4Silvia Regina Batistuzzo de Medeiros5Ana Carolina Luchiari6Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, RN, BrazilDepartment of Cell Biology and Genetics, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, RN, BrazilDepartment of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, RN, BrazilBrazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), Rio Grande 96200-180, RS, BrazilDepartment of Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema 09913-030, SP, BrazilDepartment of Cell Biology and Genetics, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, RN, BrazilDepartment of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59072-970, RN, BrazilDiflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are larvicides used in crops to control insect plagues. However, these pesticides are known to impact non-target organisms like fish and mammals. Here, we aimed at assessing the embryotoxicity of purified DFB, PPF, and their mixtures in a non-target organism—zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations for 120 h: 0.025, 0.125, 0.25, 1.25, 2.5, and 10 mg/L of purified PPF and purified DFB, while we used 0.025 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix A), 0.125 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix B), and 0.25 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix C) for the mixtures of PPF + DFB. We observed mortality, teratogenicity, and cardiotoxicity. For the neurotoxicity tests and evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain, embryos were exposed for 120 h to 0.379 and 0.754 mg/L of PPF and 0.025 and 0.125 mg/L of DFB. We established the LC<sub>50</sub> for PPF as 3.79 mg/L, while the LC<sub>50</sub> for DFB was not determinable. Survival and hatching were affected by PPF concentrations above 0.125 mg/L, DFB concentrations above 1.25 mg/L, and the lower pesticide mixtures. PPF exposure and mixtures induced different types of malformations, while a higher number of malformations were observed for the mixtures, suggesting a potentiating effect. Pesticides diminished avoidance responses and increased the levels of ROS across all concentrations, indicating neurotoxicity. Our findings underscore the detrimental impact of PPF and DFB exposure, spanning from biochemistry to morphology. There is a critical need to reconsider the global use of these pesticides and transition to more ecologically friendly forms of pest control, raising an alarm regarding repercussions on human and animal health and well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/160agrochemicalmortalityteratogenicitybehaviorneurotoxicity |
| spellingShingle | Júlia Robert de Sousa Teixeira Augusto Monteiro de Souza João Vitor de Macedo-Sampaio Fabiano Peres Menezes Bruno Fiorelini Pereira Silvia Regina Batistuzzo de Medeiros Ana Carolina Luchiari Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures Toxics agrochemical mortality teratogenicity behavior neurotoxicity |
| title | Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures |
| title_full | Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures |
| title_fullStr | Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures |
| title_short | Embryotoxic Effects of Pesticides in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>): Diflubenzuron, Pyriproxyfen, and Its Mixtures |
| title_sort | embryotoxic effects of pesticides in zebrafish i danio rerio i diflubenzuron pyriproxyfen and its mixtures |
| topic | agrochemical mortality teratogenicity behavior neurotoxicity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/160 |
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