Phototoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles to zebrafish (Danio rerio) is dependent on life stage

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2013 Sep;32(9):2139-43. doi: 10.1002/etc.2298. Epub 2013 Jul 19.

Abstract

Zebrafish embryos have been used increasingly to evaluate nanomaterial toxicity. The present study compared phototoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles with zebrafish at 4 life stages (embryos, yolk-sac larvae, free-swimming larvae, and juvenile) under simulated sunlight using the 96-h standard toxicity assay. Yolk-sac larvae were found to be the most sensitive to TiO2 phototoxicity, suggesting that the widely used zebrafish embryo test may not fully or accurately predict hazard and risk of these nanoparticles to small fish.

Keywords: Chorion; Life stage; Phototoxicity; TiO2 nanoparticles; Zebrafish embryo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / radiation effects
  • Environmental Pollutants / radiation effects
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Larva / physiology
  • Larva / radiation effects
  • Nanoparticles / radiation effects
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Titanium / toxicity*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / growth & development
  • Zebrafish / physiology*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium