Ocular deficits associated with alcohol exposure during zebrafish development.
Approximately 90% of fetal alcohol syndrome cases are accompanied by ocular abnormalities. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a well-known developmental model that provides an opportunity for better understanding the histological and cytological effects of developmental exposure to ethanol on the vertebrate eye. The purpose of the present study was to determine the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructual effects of developmental exposure to ethanol in the zebrafish model. Eggs were obtained from WT outbred zebrafish and exposed to 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.5%, or 1.0% (v/v) ethanol to assess viability and the effect of dose and duration of exposure on eye size. Light and electron microscopy were performed on ethanol-treated and control larvae. Results showed that ethanol treatment decreased viability by about 20% at concentrations of 0.1-0.5% ethanol and by 50% at 1.0% ethanol. Ethanol-related decreases in eye size were recorded at 6 days postfertilization (dpf) and were dose dependent. There were significant decreases in the volumes of the photoreceptor, inner nuclear, and ganglionic layers and in the lens of 9 dpf ethanol-exposed compared with control larvae. Ultrastructural examination showed signs of developmental lags in the ethanol-treated fish as well as abnormal retinal apoptosis in the 6 dpf ethanol-treated larvae compared with their controls. These results demonstrate that the developing zebrafish eye is sensitive to perturbation with ethanol and displays some of the eye deficits present in fetal alcohol syndrome.
Dlugos
Cynthia A
CA
Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214-3000, USA. cadlugos@buffalo.edu
Rabin
Richard A
RA
D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012160:Retina / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D015027:Zebrafish
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol