Fipronil and 2,4-D effects on tropical fish: Could avoidance response be explained by changes in swimming behavior and neurotransmission impairments?

Author(s)

Aparecida Moreira, Raquel ^[1] ; Araujo, Cristiano V. M. ^[2] ; da Silva Pinto, Thandy Junio ^[1] ; Menezes da Silva, Lais Conceicao ^[1] ; Veloso Goulart, Bianca ^[3] ; Prudencio Viana, Natalia ^[4] ; Carolina Montagner, Cassiana ^[3] ; Narciso Fernandes, Marisa ^[4] ; Gaeta Espindola, Evaldo Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Engn Sch, NEEA CRHEA SHS & PPG SEA, Av Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[2] Inst Marine Sci Andalusia CSIC, Dept Ecol & Coastal Management, Campus Univ Rio San Pedro, Puerto Real 11519 - Spain

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, Analyt Chem Dept, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Physiol Sci Dept, Av Washington Luiz Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemosphere; v. 263, JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane, a crop largely dependent on chemical control for its maintenance. The insecticide fipronil and herbicide 2,4-D stand out among the most commonly used pesticides and, therefore, environmental consequences are a matter of concern. The present study aimed to investigate the toxicity mechanisms of Regent (R) 800 WG (a.i. fipronil) and DMA (R) 806 BR (a.i. 2,4-D) pesticides using forced and non-forced exposures through an integrative approach: firstly, to assess whether contamination by fipronil and 2,4-D can trigger the avoidance behavior of the fish Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Hyphessobrycon eques (serpae tetra or mato-grosso). Additionally, the effects on fish were analyzed considering the swimming behavior together with a biomarker of neurotoxicity, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In avoidance tests with pesticide gradients, D. rerio avoided the highest concentrations of the two compounds and H. eques avoided only the highest concentration of 2,4-D. The swimming behavior (distance moved) was reduced and AChE was inhibited when D. rerio was exposed to fipronil. The 2,4-D affected the swimming (maximum speed) of H. eques, but AChE was not altered.Avoidance response seemed not to have been affected by possible effects of contaminants on swimming behavior and Ache activity. This study showed the importance of knowing the avoidance capacity, swimming behavior and neurotoxic effects of pesticides on fish in an integrated and realistic context of exposure in environments contaminated with pesticides and can be useful as ecologically relevant tools for ecological risk assessment. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/18790-3 - Environmental effects of the pasture-sugarcane conversion and pasture intensification
• Grantee: Luiz Antonio Martinelli
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/24126-4 - EFFECTS OF THE PESTICIDES FIPRONIL AND 2,4-D, ISOLATELY AND IN MIXTURE, ON NATIVE SPECIES OF THE NEOTROPICAL AQUATIC BIOTA
• Grantee: Raquel Aparecida Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral