Long-term exposure of two plasticizers di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC): toxic effects on gonadal development and reproduction of zebrafish ("Danio rerio")

Present study investigated the exposure effects of two plasticizers, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) on the gonadal development and reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio) at environmentally relevant concentration (0.5 mu g/L) for six months by comparing with the control group. We observed the significant adverse effects of two plasticizers in the embryos and larvae of zebrafish resulting inhibition of body length, weight and gonado-somatic index (GSI) in both exposed male and female zebrafish with impaired fecundity. Histological analysis revealed the apparent inhibition of ovaries in zebrafish after six months DEHP exposure. Present study reveals that the DEHP phthalate can adversely affect the reproduction and functioning in the male and female zebrafish compared to the ATBC exposure which showed relatively low effects.