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Antibiotic drugs alter zebrafish behavior.

Barbara Dutra Petersen1, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira2, Stefani Altenhofen1

  • 1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : CBP
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Summary

Antibiotic contamination from human and veterinary use impacts aquatic ecosystems. Studies show antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin and Chlortetracycline alter zebrafish behavior, increasing movement and aggression while impairing cognition.

Keywords:
AggressionCeftazidimeChlortetracyclineCiprofloxacinMemory

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Aquatic ecotoxicology
  • Behavioral pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotics are extensively used in human and veterinary medicine and agriculture.
  • A significant portion of antibiotics are excreted unchanged, leading to water body contamination.
  • While aquatic toxicity is known, behavioral impacts of antibiotic pollution remain under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the behavioral effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of common antibiotics on adult zebrafish.
  • To assess changes in exploratory, cognitive, aggressive, and social behaviors following antibiotic exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Adult zebrafish were exposed to Chlortetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Ceftazidime at environmentally relevant concentrations.
  • A suite of behavioral assays were used to quantify changes in locomotion, cognition, aggression, and social interaction.
  • Behavioral changes were assessed after short-term exposure.

Main Results:

  • Exposure to Ciprofloxacin, Chlortetracycline, and Ceftazidime resulted in hyperlocomotion, indicated by increased distance traveled.
  • Antibiotic exposure led to a decline in cognitive function in zebrafish.
  • Aggressive behaviors were significantly exacerbated by the tested antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments can induce significant behavioral alterations in fish.
  • Even short-term exposure to common antibiotics can negatively impact zebrafish behavior, including locomotion, cognition, and aggression.
  • These findings highlight the potential ecological risks of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic wildlife.