Effect of four selected carrier solvents on embryonal stages of Danio rerio.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 96 hour exposure to selected solvents on the embryonic stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). We investigated mortality and various types of changes which appeared (oedema, tail and eye defects, weak pigmentation, and deformation of the body). Based on the results, values of NOEC and LOEC for embryos of D. rerio were determined.


METHODS
Embryonal toxicity tests were conducted according to OECD guideline 212. Ethanol and methanol were tested at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2%; acetone at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.25, 1.5%; and dimethylsulfoxide at concentrations of 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3%.


RESULTS
The LOEC values of ethanol and methanol were detected in the 1% concentration. Statistically significant changes (oedema) were reported in 1% ethanol, and oedema, weak pigmentation and deformation of the body were observed in 1% methanol. After exposure to acetone, the most common occurrence of oedema was in the 0.5% concentration (LOEC = 0.5%). The solvent dimethylsulfoxide caused oedema and body deformation at the 2% concentration (LOEC = 2%).


CONCLUSIONS
The NOEC concentrations of the individual solvents were as follows: ethanol and methanol, 0.5%; acetone, 0.1%; and dimethylsulfoxide, 1.5%. These concentrations of individual solvents were higher than the maximum recommended concentration for toxicity tests on fish. For this reason, it can be assumed that the concentration of solvent allowed by the norm does not affect the procedure or results of such tests.
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic. chromka.l@seznam.cz
Lucie
L
Chromcova
Stanislava
S
Stepanova
Lucie
L
Plhalova
Eva
E
Praskova
Zdenka
Z
Svobodova
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000096:Acetone / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced; D000432:Methanol / Q000633:toxicity; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*
D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone; D000431:Ethanol; D000432:Methanol; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide