Vitellogenin as a Basic Biomarker: Endocrine Disruptor Effects of Sodium Pyrithione on Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

In recent years, one of the most striking consequences of overpopulation and consumption activities worldwide has been the rapid increase in environmental pollutants. Sodium pyrithione (NaPT) is an organosulfur compound commonly used for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties in industrial and personal care products. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of NaPT exposure on whole-body vitellogenin (Vtg) levels in adult male zebrafish, a highly relevant model for toxicological studies. As Vtg functions as a key estrogen-responsive biomarker, its induction serves as a critical indicator for assessing endocrine disruption, thereby justifying its selection as the primary endpoint. The adaptation period completed, stocked zebrafish were transferred to experimental aquariums and exposed to 1 and 5 μg/L concentrations of NaPT for 24, 72, 96 h, and 7 days. Commercial ELISA kits determined Vtg levels. The whole-body zebrafish Vtg analysis revealed that Vtg levels were increased at all time intervals, regardless of dose differences, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Only at 24 h, low and high doses of NaPT had significantly different Vtg levels (p = 0.009). Biocidal products, among the environmental pollutants, have been found to affect time-dependent levels, especially in non-target organisms. The results suggested that NaPT exposure leads to significant alterations in Vtg expression, indicating its potential to interfere with endocrine function in fish. The observed endocrine-disrupting effects of NaPT directly underscore the potential risks marine pollution poses to ecosystem health and, consequently, to human well-being through shared environmental pathways.