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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Studying Neurobehavioral Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: February 5, 2020
Exposure to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid impairs mitochondrial function, oxidative status, and
Nathana Andressa Thiel1, Adrieli Sachett2, Sabrina Ester Schneider3
1Laboratório de Genética e Ecotoxicologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó, Servidão Anjo da Guarda, 295-D, Efapi, Chapecó, SC, 89809-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide. While the effects of 2,4-D in target organisms are well known, its consequences in nontarget organisms are not fully explained. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the herbicide on mitochondrial energy metabolism, oxidative status, and exploratory behavior in adult zebrafish. Animal exposure to 2,4-D increased cytochrome c oxidase and catalase activities and reduced SOD/CAT ratio, moreover, increased the total distance traveled and the number of crossings. Finally, animals exposed to 2,4-D spent more time in the upper zone of the tank and traveled a long distance in the upper zone. Overall, our results indicate the 2,4-D can provoke disabling effects in nontarget organisms. The obtained data showed that exposure to 2,4-D at environmentally relevant concentrations alters mitochondrial metabolism and antioxidant status and disturbs the zebrafish innate behavior.
