Effects of the UV filter benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) at low concentrations in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Organic UV filters including benzophenone-3 (BP-3) are widely used to protect humans and materials from damage by UV irradiation. Despite the environmental occurrence of BP-3 in the aquatic environment, little is known about its effects and modes of action. In the present study we assess molecular and physiological effects of BP-3 in adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio) and in eleuthero-embryos by a targeted gene expression approach focusing on the sex hormone system. Fish and embryos are exposed for 14 days and 120 hours post fertilization, respectively, to 2.4-312 μg/L and 8.2-438 μg/L BP-3. Chemical analysis of water and fish demonstrates that BP-3 is partly transformed to benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and both compounds are accumulated in adult fish. Biotransformation to BP-1 is absent in eleuthero-embryos. BP-3 exposure leads to similar alterations of gene expression in both adult fish and eleuthero-embryos. In the brain of adult males esr1, ar and cyp19b are down-regulated at 84 μg/L BP-3. There is no induction of vitellogenin expression by BP-3, both at the transcriptional and protein level. An overall down-regulation of the hsd3b, hsd17b3, hsd11b2 and cyp11b2 transcripts is observed in the testes, suggesting an antiandrogenic activity. No histological changes were observed in the testes after BP-3 treatment. The study leads to the conclusion that low concentrations of BP-3 exhibit similar multiple hormonal activities at the transcription level in two different life stages of zebrafish. Forthcoming studies should show whether this translates to additional physiological effects.
School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland.
Nancy
N
Blüthgen
Sara
S
Zucchi
Karl
K
Fent
D000818:Animals; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008297:Male; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish
D001577:Benzophenones; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014819:Vitellogenins; C005290:oxybenzone