Effect of Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) on Embryo Development in the Shimofuri Goby, Tridentiger bifasciatus

Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3; BP-3) is used as a component of sunscreens, and known to disrupt the endocrine system of marine organisms. This study evaluated BP-3 toxicity on Shimofuri goby (Tridentiger bifasciatus). We evaluated morphological changes during embryogenesis. In addition, hatching rate (HR) and embryo survival to hatching were assessed. Embryos were exposed to BP-3 in artificial seawater, and then they were randomly sampled every 12 hours for microscopic observation and cortisol analysis. 36 hours after exposure to BP-3 100 and 1,000 μg/L groups, the tail was not separated from the yolk sac. 72 hours after exposure, incompleted eye pigmentation was observed at 100 and 1,000 μg/L BP-3. After 48 and 60 hours of exposure, all individuals in the control group had elongated tails, whereas individuals in the all BP-3 treated group failed to elongate or showed signs of bent tails. Survival rate decreased dose-dependently (control: >90%) with LC₅₀-96h=493 μg/L. HR significantly declined in all BP-3 groups in a dose-dependent manner. And, heartbeat was increased in response to BP-3 1,000 μg/L. High levels of cortisol were observed in the initial groups (0 hours) and decreased after 24 hours. The BP-3 100 and 1,000 μg/L showed significantly lower cortisol levels than the control at 96 hours of exposure. Overall, this study suggests that BP-3 can interfere with embryonic development, resulting in adverse effects on survival and HRs in T. bifasciatus embryos.