Effects of nicotine on growth and development in larval zebrafish

In this study, larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) were chronically exposed to nicotine concentrations of 5, 10, or 20 mg/L (corresponding to 10, 20, or 40 microM) beginning at 1 day postfertilization. Larval growth, morphology, and behavior were examined at day 10. Results indicate that nicotine exposure significantly reduces notochord length and eye diameter (growth), adversely affects the startle responses (behavior), and decreases survival. These findings parallel results on the deleterious effects of nicotine on development in other animals and indicate that zebrafish may be a good model to further study factors affecting vertebrate development.