EVALUATION OF ZEBRA FISH EMBRYOS EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF ABAMECTIN

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.9733162305102

• Palavras-chave: zebrafish embryo; Danio rerio embryology; acute toxicity; sublethal toxicity; pesticides

• Keywords: zebrafish embryo; Danio rerio embryology; acute toxicity; sublethal toxicity; pesticides

• Abstract:

  Despite the benefits brought to public health by the application of pesticides to control disease vectors, their damage to the environment, such as loss of biodiversity and effects on non-target organisms, need to be further evaluated. Abamectin (ABA) is an active ingredient belonging to the group of avermectins (AVMs), widely used in insecticides, acaricides and nematicides. In Brazil, it is the main pesticide used in the cultivation of strawberries (Fragaria spp.), coffee (Coffea spp.) and other vegetables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of abamectin, using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos at different stages of development as an experimental model. For this, fish embryo toxicity tests (FET) were carried out, exposing 2-hour post-fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos for 96 hours to different concentrations of abamectin (0.5 - 11.7 mg.L-1). The main parameters evaluated were mortality outcomes, developmental delays, malformations and occurrence of edema. Significant effects were observed in relation to lack of larvae hatching, egg coagulation and pericardial edema. Considering the seriousness of the results obtained, it is suggested that new studies using different living organisms be carried out, especially in countries where abamectin is registered.