Evaluation of teratogenic and toxic effects of enrofloxacin-based antibiotic on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae with biochemical and developmental markers

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of enrofloxacin-based antibiotic (EBA) used as a drug in veterinary medicine were evaluated on zebrafish embryos and larvae. The embryos were exposed to 17.56–300 mg L − 1 EBA for 96 h and survival rates and body malformations were evaluated under a stereo-microscope. In addition, 10-days larvae were exposed to LC50/4, LC50/2 and LC50 concentrations of antibiotic for 72 h and activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) were measured. LC50 and EC50 values and the teratogenic index (TI) were calculated as 150.1 and 124.8 mg L − 1 and 1.2, respectively. EBA was teratogen for zebrafish embryos according to calculated TI. Spinal curvature, tail malformation, pericardial oedema and yolk sac oedema were determined in embryos exposed to 88.8 mg L − 1 and higher EBA concentrations. Furthermore, significant growth inhibitions were determined in larvae exposed to 59.26 mg L − 1 and above EBA concentrations. Also, 75 and 150 mg L − 1 concentrations of EBA caused a significant increase in GST, LDH and AST activities in zebrafish larvae. These results show that EBA causes adverse effects on zebrafish development and may adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem if it enters the aquatic environment.