Developmental toxicity induced by triclosan exposure in zebrafish embryos
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Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Rapid Evaluation of Toxicity of Chemical Compounds Using Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: August 25, 2019
Annamaria Iannetta1, Giulia Caioni2, Viviana Di Vito1
1Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
Objectives:
The present study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity and the developmental alterations induced by triclosan (TCS) exposure in zebrafish early-life stages using fish embryo acute toxicity tests as a methodological approach.
Material And Methods:
Zebrafish embryos were exposed to five concentrations of TCS and the four lethal alterations were daily recorded to determine the toxicological endpoints of acute toxicity. Furthermore, sublethal alterations were recorded to assess the effect of exposure concentrations on zebrafish embryo's development.
Results:
The TCS toxicity was determined at 96 h of exposure as lethal concentration 10, lethal concentration 20, lethal concentration 50, lowest observed effects concentration, and no observed effects concentration, reported the following values: 168, 197.2, 267.8, 300, and 200 μg/L. Exposed larvae showed a delay in hatching rate and developed sublethal alterations including reduced blood flow, pericardial oedemata, reduced heartbeat, blood congestion, and craniofacial malformations. The number of zebrafish larvae developing cardiovascular alterations changed according to the tested concentrations and time of evaluation.
Conclusion:
The data confirmed the developmental toxicity of TCS on aquatic organisms and the sublethal alterations developed by zebrafish larvae, indicated its cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Moreover, the developmental toxicity was strongly influenced by the concentration tested and the number of survived zebrafish developing this alteration varying according to the time of exposure.
Insights
Triclosan (TCS) exposure causes developmental toxicity in zebrafish, leading to cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. These effects, including malformations and delayed hatching, are concentration-dependent and observed in early-life stages.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Developmental biology
- Aquatic toxicology
Background:
- Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used antimicrobial agent found in various consumer products.
- Its presence in aquatic environments raises concerns about potential ecological impacts.
- Early-life stages of aquatic organisms are particularly vulnerable to chemical stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute toxicity of triclosan (TCS) in zebrafish early-life stages.
- To identify and characterize developmental alterations induced by TCS exposure.
- To establish toxicological endpoints for TCS in a model aquatic organism.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish embryos were exposed to five different concentrations of TCS.
- Fish embryo acute toxicity tests were employed for the study.
- Lethal and sublethal alterations were recorded daily over 96 hours.
Main Results:
- TCS exhibited acute toxicity with determined endpoints including LC10 (168 μg/L), LC20 (197.2 μg/L), LC50 (267.8 μg/L), LOEC (300 μg/L), and NOEC (200 μg/L).
- Sublethal effects included delayed hatching, reduced blood flow, pericardial edema, reduced heartbeat, blood congestion, and craniofacial malformations.
- The incidence of cardiovascular alterations was dose- and time-dependent.
Conclusions:
- TCS demonstrates significant developmental toxicity in zebrafish, impacting cardiovascular and potentially neurological systems.
- The observed sublethal alterations highlight the cardiotoxic and neurotoxic potential of TCS.
- Developmental toxicity is strongly influenced by TCS concentration and exposure duration in zebrafish larvae.
