Developmental and neural toxicity of the dinitroaniline herbicide pendimethalin in zebrafish early-life stages

IF 6.9 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Emerging Contaminants Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-12 DOI:10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100597

Rosario Licitra , Sara Bernardi , Rachele Rocchi , Rossana Scarpone , Giampiero Scortichini , Sabrina V.P. Defourny , Filippo M. Santorelli , Carmine Merola , Giulia Caioni , Maria Marchese

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Abstract

Pendimethalin (PND) belongs to the dinitroaniline family of herbicides and is commonly used to control broadleaf weeds, but its persistence in the environment and potential toxicity have become a growing concern. This study investigated the sublethal effects of PND on early development of zebrafish. Three sublethal concentrations (0.2, 1, and 2 μM) were administered to early-life stages in a semi-static system for 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Internal concentrations were measured via UHPLC-HRMS, showing significant bioaccumulation (up to 1.17 mM at 1 μM). Morphometric analysis at 120 hpf revealed reduced body length, eye area, and swim bladder size, especially at higher concentrations. Behavioral assays indicated impaired locomotor activity, with reduced swimming distance, duration, and velocity in visual motor response (VMR) tests. Electrophysiological recordings of local field potentials (LFPs) in the forebrain revealed seizure-like activity, marked by increased event duration and power. These findings highlight PND's potential developmental and neurotoxic effects in aquatic vertebrates and raise concerns about its broader ecological and human health implications due to bioaccumulation and environmental persistence.

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二硝基苯胺除草剂对斑马鱼早期发育和神经毒性的影响

戊二甲基灵（PND）属于二硝基苯胺类除草剂，常用于防治阔叶杂草，但其在环境中的持久性和潜在毒性日益受到人们的关注。本研究探讨了PND对斑马鱼早期发育的亚致死效应。在半静态系统中给药3种亚致死浓度（0.2 μM， 1 μM和2 μM），使其在受精后120 h （hpf）。内部浓度通过UHPLC-HRMS测定，显示出显著的生物积累（在1 μM处高达1.17 mM）。在120 hpf下的形态计量学分析显示体长、眼睛面积和鱼鳔大小减少，特别是在高浓度下。行为分析显示运动活动受损，在视觉运动反应（VMR）测试中游泳距离、持续时间和速度减少。前脑局部场电位（LFPs）的电生理记录显示癫痫样活动，其特征是事件持续时间和功率增加。这些发现强调了PND对水生脊椎动物的潜在发育和神经毒性作用，并引起了人们对其由于生物积累和环境持久性而产生的更广泛的生态和人类健康影响的关注。

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来源期刊

Emerging Contaminants Medicine-Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

CiteScore

10.00

自引率

6.70%

发文量

审稿时长

44 days

期刊介绍： Emerging Contaminants is an outlet for world-leading research addressing problems associated with environmental contamination caused by emerging contaminants and their solutions. Emerging contaminants are defined as chemicals that are not currently (or have been only recently) regulated and about which there exist concerns regarding their impact on human or ecological health. Examples of emerging contaminants include disinfection by-products, pharmaceutical and personal care products, persistent organic chemicals, and mercury etc. as well as their degradation products. We encourage papers addressing science that facilitates greater understanding of the nature, extent, and impacts of the presence of emerging contaminants in the environment; technology that exploits original principles to reduce and control their environmental presence; as well as the development, implementation and efficacy of national and international policies to protect human health and the environment from emerging contaminants.