Biochemical and histological alterations in adult zebrafish（Danio rerio）ovary following exposure to the tetronic acid insecticide spirotetramat.

As a new tetronic acid derivative insecticide, spirotetramat has been reported to be toxic to an array of aquatic organisms. However, the toxic effects of spirotetramat on zebrafish especially at ovary are still obscure. Hereby, the acute toxicity of spirotetramat towards zebrafish（Danio rerio），as well as the changes on biochemical and histological traits of ovary were investigated. The acute toxicity test results showed that the median lethal concentration (LC50) value of spirotetramat were 9.61 mg/L and 7.21 mg/L at 72 h and 96 h, respectively, suggesting spirotetramat has moderate toxicity to zebrafish. In the following sub-lethal toxicity test, the gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and gonadotropic hormone receptor (FSHR and LHR) together with the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in ovary were measured at 14, 21, and 28 days after exposure to 36, 360 and 720 µg/L. Under high concentration treatment (360 and 720 µg/L), MDA content, the relative transcription CAT and SOD gene level increased significantly in ovary (p < 0.05). That indicated sub-lethal doses spirotetramat caused oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in zebrafish ovary during the entire experimental period. Under the exposure to spirotetramat at 720 µg/L after 14 days, the relative transcript FSHR gene level was down regulated, and the relative transcript LHR gene level was up regulated. Moreover, spirotetramat affected the oocyte development especially on the diameter size and maturation during the ovary tissue biopsies at 28 days. Taken together, these findings revealed the adverse effects of spirotetramat on fish from the biochemical and histological aspects.

Effects of spirotetramat on the acute toxicity, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation in Chinese toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) tadpoles.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential effects of antioxidant and lipid peroxidation parameters as indicators of exposure to spirotetramat and effects of acute toxicity in the Chinese toad Bufo bufo gargarizans. The results of an acute toxicity test showed that the 72 and 96 h median lethal concentrations (LC(50)) of spirotetramat for tadpoles were 6.98 and 6.45 mg/L, respectively. It indicated that the spirotetramat was moderate toxicity to Chinese toad tadpoles. In a sub-lethal toxicity test, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined after exposure to 0.03, 0.06, 0.13, 0.65, and 3.23 mg/L for 4, 15, and 30 days. SOD activity significantly in all experimental groups except the highest concentration group increased on day 4 but decreased on days 15 compared with that of the acetone control (P < 0.05). The most sensitive parameters was GSH-Px activity, which significantly increased on day 4, but was inhibited and decreased after prolonged exposure for 15 and 30 days except the lowest concentration treatment group (P < 0.05). The MDA content significantly decreased on day 30 (P < 0.05). During the entire experimental period, sub-lethal doses spirotetramat caused oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in B. gargarizans tadpoles. These results indicate that sub-lethal even non-lethal spirotetramat are potentially toxic to amphibians. The information presented in this study will be helpful for understanding oxidative stress induced by spirotetramat in aquatic organisms.