Short-term exposure to sublethal tebuconazole induces physiological impairment in male zebrafish ( Danio rerio)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the physiological response of male zebrafish Danio rerio to the fungicide tebuconazole and recovery in fungicide-free water. Acute toxicity tests were carried out and the median lethal concentration (LC 50) from 24 to 96 h was calculated. The fish were exposed to a sublethal fungicide concentration of 230 μg/L for 7 or 14 days and allowed to recover for 7 or 14 more days, respectively. Whole-body levels of vitellogenins, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, lactate and proteins as well as the activities γ-glutamil transpeptidase (γ-GT), alanin aminotransferase (AlAT), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed; corpulence factor ( k) was also calculated. Fish exhibited significant increase of vitellogenins (Vtg), which continued to increase after 14 days of recovery. Levels of glucose, lactate, cholesterol and triglycerides increased after 7 and 14 days of exposure. Finally, cholesterol and glucose recovered after 14 days of recovery whereas triglycerides and lactate continued to be elevated. Proteins and k remained unaltered the entire experiments. AAT, AlAT and AP enhanced during exposure and did not recover at the end (except AlAT). A longer recovery period should be necessary to re-establish fish physiology. These results alert about the multiple disruptive physiological actions that tebuconazole may have on fish.