Cadmium chloride-induced transgenerational neurotoxicity in zebrafish development

As an important environmental pollutant, the heavy metal cadmium has a significant negative impact on the stability of the ecological environment and on organismal health. Previous studies have shown that cadmium chloride can damage the nervous, skeletal, endocrine, and reproductive systems, but to our knowledge, the effects of cadmium on the behavior, neurotransmitter levels, and neuronal development in the offspring of exposed animals have not been reported. In the present study, sexually-mature zebrafish were exposed to cadmium chloride at different concentrations for 60 days, and in this background, behavior, neurotransmitters level, neuro-development and neurotransmitter metabolism was investigated in the F1 offspring. The results showed that exposure of the parental zebrafish to cadmium chloride resulted swimming speed and distance of F1 offspring significantly reduced; the levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine is disrupted. neuro-development and neurotransmitter metabolism related genes expression pattern was altered, which cause zebrafish F1 offspring developmental neurotoxicity. These findings provide further insights into the harm posed by cadmium chloride to the aquatic ecosystems.