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Assessing differences between zebrafish and human nuclear receptor activation induced by environmental water extracts
Beatrice Kyei Amankwah1, Marina Grimaldi2, Pavel Šauer1
1University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
Environmental Research
|January 29, 2026
Summary
Human and zebrafish bioassays reveal species-specific differences in detecting nuclear receptor activity in Czech waters. Zebrafish assays are superior for monitoring progesterone, mineralocorticoid, and pregnane X receptor activities in aquatic environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- In vitro bioassays using mammalian receptors may not accurately assess risks to aquatic organisms.
- Species-specific differences in nuclear receptor activation are crucial for understanding environmental risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare human and zebrafish nuclear receptor activities in environmental water samples.
- To identify the most suitable bioassays for monitoring endocrine disruption in aquatic ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Water samples were collected using active and passive sampling from various Czech aquatic environments.
- A battery of human and zebrafish nuclear receptor bioassays (ERα, AR, PR, GR, MR, PXR) was employed.
- Species-specific differences in receptor activation and inhibition were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα) activity was detected more frequently than zebrafish ERα (zfERα).
- Androgen receptor (AR) activity showed similar detection and responsiveness in both species.
- Zebrafish bioassays were more effective for detecting progesterone receptor (PR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and pregnane X receptor (PXR) activities.
Conclusions:
- Both human and zebrafish nuclear receptor bioassays are valuable for monitoring ERα and AR activities.
- Zebrafish bioassays are recommended for assessing PR, MR, and PXR activities in aquatic environments.
- Results guide the selection of appropriate bioassays for endocrine activity assessment in waters.
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