title: Feasibility study of the zebrafish assay as an alternative method to screen for developmental toxicity and embryotoxicity using a training set of 27 compounds.
abstract: To anticipate to increased testing needs for reproductive toxicity and 3R approaches, we studied zebrafish embryo/larva as an alternative for animal testing for developmental toxicity and embryotoxicity and evaluated a training set of 27 compounds with a standardized protocol. The classification of compounds in the zebrafish embryo/larva assay, based on a prediction model using a TI (teratogenic index) cut-off value of 2, was compared to available animal and human data. When comparing the classification of compounds in the zebrafish embryo/larva assay to available animal classification, a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 100% were obtained. The predictive values obtained in comparison to a limited set of human data were 50, 60% respectively for teratogens, non-teratogens. Overall, we demonstrated that the zebrafish embryo/larva assay, may be used as screening tool for prioritization of compounds and could contribute to reduction of animal experiments in the field of developmental toxicology.
authors.affiliation: VITO NV, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, CARDAM, Centre for Advanced R&D on Alternative Methods, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium. ingrid.selderslaghs@vito.be
authors.forename: Ingrid W T
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Selderslaghs
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blust
authors.forename: Hilda E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Witters
mesh_terms: D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives; D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens