Effects of nicotine on growth and development in larval zebrafish.
In this study, larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) were chronically exposed to nicotine concentrations of 5, 10, or 20 mg/L (corresponding to 10, 20, or 40 microM) beginning at 1 day postfertilization. Larval growth, morphology, and behavior were examined at day 10. Results indicate that nicotine exposure significantly reduces notochord length and eye diameter (growth), adversely affects the startle responses (behavior), and decreases survival. These findings parallel results on the deleterious effects of nicotine on development in other animals and indicate that zebrafish may be a good model to further study factors affecting vertebrate development.
Department of Biology, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
Beatrice
B
Parker
Victoria P
VP
Connaughton
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D023421:Models, Animal; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D013550:Swimming; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000254:growth & development*
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine