Objective: To investigate the embryotoxicity of Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on zebrafish.
Methods: In this study, 80 healthy adult zebrafish were selected, containing 40 female and 40 male. After separated raised for one month, they were separated 4 groups. Each group was exposed to 1250 microg/L DBP(dissolved in 0.01% acetone), 625 microg/L DBP (dissolved in 0.01% acetone), 0.01% acetone and water, respectively. Acetone and water were used as solvent control and blank control, respectively. After exposed to DBP for seven days, zebrafish were mated at the ratio of 1 : 1 (male to female). Embryo development, fertility rate, 72h death rate, 72h hatching ratio, body weight and length of zebrafish were observed under the inverted microscope and by using microbalance and callipers.
Results: The fertility rates of the blank group, acetone control group, 625 microg/L DBP-treated group and 1250 microg/L DBP-treated group were 98.09%, 95.76%, 95.31% and 94.42%, respectively. And the 72h death rates of various groups were 18.29%, 23.34%, 49.45% and 72.41%, respectively. The hatching ratios were 96.43%, 82.37%, 48.11% and 26.79%. The 72h death rates of DBP-treated groups were higher than those of non-treated groups, but the hatching ratios were lower. Compared with the blank and acetone control group, retardation of embryo development in DBP-treated groups were observed obviously. Although no significant differences were observed on body weight, the body length were significant shorter in DBP-treated groups, while comparing with blank and acetone control group. The higher dose zebrafish exposed, the less body length the young had.
Conclusion: 625 microg/L and higher DBP treated may be the cause of the retardation of zebrafish embryo development.