Larval exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of triclosan impairs metamorphosis and reproductive fitness in zebrafish

Abstract

Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors can cause organizational changes resulting in latent and transgenerational disease. We exposed zebrafish to environmentally relevant concentrations of triclosan during the critical period of metamorphosis and somatic sex differentiation to determine effects on metamorphosis and reproduction. We use biological and morphological biomarkers to predict potential modes of action. Larval exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of triclosan was sufficient to cause adverse effects in adults and their offspring. TCS exposure delays metamorphosis and impairs fecundity and fertility. Offspring from TCS-exposed fish show decreased survival and delayed maturation, but their reproductive capacity is not altered. Delays in metamorphosis in conjunction with morphological indicators suggest that toxicity may result from lowered thyroid hormones in parental fish. This work illustrates the importance of evaluating the latent effects of early exposure to environmental contaminants, and that further studies to evaluate the effects of triclosan on the thyroid axis are warranted.