Developmental toxicity and metabolomics analyses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exposed to Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl

Abstract

Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (FEN) is an aryloxy phenoxy propionate herbicide that has been widely used in paddy elds. Previous studies indicated FEN exhibited highly toxic to aquatic organism, but little is known about developmental effects of FEN. In present study investigated the acute toxic and developmental toxic effects of zebra sh embryos, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the metabolomics pro ling in zebra sh embryos after 96h exposure. FEN exhibited high acute toxicity to zebra sh embryos and larvae. Exposure to FEN could reduce heartbeat and hatching rates, and increased malformation rates in embryos. Oxidative damage was also caused in embryos. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 102 differential metabolites were found in zebra sh embryos in 0.05 mg/L FEN treatment group, and 60 differential metabolites found 0.2 mg/L FEN treatment group. These differential metabolites mainly belonged to 9 metabolic pathways, of which folate pathways and ABC transport protein pathways have the greatest impact. These results suggested that FEN induced high acute toxicity and developmental toxicity in zebra sh embryos.