title: Developmental exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 17α-ethinylestradiol affects non-reproductive behavior and fertility as adults, and increases anxiety in unexposed progeny.
abstract: Exposure to estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EDCs) during development affects fertility, reproductive and non-reproductive behavior in mammals and fish. These effects can also be transferred to coming generations. In fish, the effects of developmental EDC exposure on non-reproductive behavior are less well studied. Here, we analyze the effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on anxiety, shoaling behavior and fertility in zebrafish after developmental treatment and remediation in clean water until adulthood. Zebrafish embryos were exposed from day 1 to day 80 post fertilization to actual concentrations of 1.2 and 1.6ng/L EE2. After remediation for 82days non-reproductive behavior and fertilization success were analyzed in both sexes. Males and females from the 1.2ng/L group, as well as control males and females, were bred, and behavior of the untreated F1 offspring was tested as adults. Developmental treatment with 1.2 and 1.6ng/L EE2 significantly increased anxiety in the novel tank test and increased shoaling intensity in both sexes. Fertilization success was significantly reduced by EE2 in both sexes when mated with untreated fish of opposite sex. Progeny of fish treated with 1.2ng/L EE2 showed increased anxiety in the novel tank test and increased light avoidance in the scototaxis test compared to control offspring. In conclusion, developmental exposure of zebrafish to low doses of EE2 resulted in persistent changes in behavior and fertility. The behavior of unexposed progeny was affected by their parents' exposure, which might suggest transgenerational effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden; Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden. Electronic address: kristina.volkova@sh.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Volkova
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden; Örebro Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reyhanian Caspillo
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porseryd
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hallgren
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dinnétz
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Porsch-Hällström
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol
keywords: 17α-Ethinylestradiol; Anxiety; Developmental exposure; Endocrine disruptors; F1 effects; Fertility; Neuroendocrinology; Social behavior; Stress behavior; Zebrafish