Effects of chronic exposure to nonylphenol on locomotor activity and socialbehavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Jigang Xia , Cuijuan Niu , Xuejiao Pei
DOI:
Received September 30, 2009,Revised November 17, 2009, Accepted , Available online
Volume 22,2010,Pages 1435-1440
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Nonylphenol (NP), a xenoestrogen ubiquitously found in aquatic ecosystems, is of high environmental concern. The present work
assessed the e ects of exposure to NP on locomotor activity and social behavior in male and female zebrafish (Danio rerio), to evaluate
the possible hazard of NP to fish behavior and to pursue a potential biomarker of NP contamination. Fish were randomly divided into six
groups. Five groups were receiving 0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 g/L nominal concentrations of NP for 60 days, respectively. A sixth control
group was given the same treatment as the other five groups, but no NP. Locomotor activity, aggressive behavior, group preference and
leaving shoal were examined. NP exposure showed marked influence on locomotor activity of the male zebrafish, whereas that of the
female was not significantly a ected by NP. Aggressive behavior and group preference were significantly a ected by NP exposure in
both male and female groups. Locomotor activity and aggressive behavior of the male and group preference of both male and female
zebrafish were clearly inhibited at 100 g/L NP. No significant alteration in leaving shoal was observed under NP exposure. The results
suggested that changes in locomotor activity and aggressive behavior of the male and group preference of both male and female may
be used as an ecologically relevant integrative biomarker of NP contamination.
