Dichlorvos-induced developmental toxicity in Zebrafish

The present study examined effects of the pesticide dichlorvos (O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-O,O dimethylphosphate [DDVP]) on embryonic development of zebrafish. In a first set of experiments, early life stages of zebrafish were exposed to five concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L(-1)) of DDVP for 96 hours post fertilization (hpf). The 24-hpf LC(50) value of DDVP in the semistatic test was 39.75 mg/L(-1). Developmental abnormalities have been observed in embryos and larvae, such as no blood flow, cardiac edema, delayed hatching, and vertebra malformations. Most of the onserved effects were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. To investigate the behavior of the larvae, zebrafish exposed to 10 and 25 mg/L(-1) DDVP were observed on days 6 and 9 after fertilization. 25 mg L(-1) DDVP dose caused significant slowing of swimming activity on day 6 and 9 after fertilization. According to present study results, DDVP exposure during early development caused (i) clear behavioral impairments detectable during the posthatching period and (ii) mortality and developmental abnormalities in zebrafish. Dichlorvos is present in the environment with other similar organophosphate compounds. Additive responses to organophosphate compounds may induce lethal or sublethal effects in early life stages of fish chronically exposed to this class of chemicals.