Effects of cyhalofop-butyl on the developmental toxicity and immunotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Cyhalofop-butyl is a kind of aromatic phenoxypropionic acid herbicide widely used in agriculture. However, studies on its immunotoxicity to aquatic organisms have not been reported. In this study paper, morphological, immunological, cytological, biochemical and molecular biology methods were used to study the effects of cyhalofop-butyl on the developmental toxicity and immunotoxicity in zebrafish. After cyhalofop-butyl exposed, the results showed that the zebrafish embryos had shorter length, yolk sac edema, significantly reduced number of immune cells, inflammatory response and immunocytes apoptosis. In addition, we found that the expression of immune-related genes and pro-apoptotic genes were up-regulated, and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway mediated the immunotoxicity induced by cyhalofop-butyl. Therefore, our results indicate that cyhalofop-butyl has developmental toxicity and immunotoxicity to zebrafish, and this study offer new contents for the effects of cyhalofop-butyl exposure on aquatic organisms. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that cyhalofop-butyl has developmental and immunotoxicity effects on zebrafish, including causing shortened embryo length, yolk sac edema, and immunocyte apoptosis, leading to inflammatory responses. Additionally, the up-regulation of immune-related genes and pro-apoptotic genes, as well as the mediation of immunotoxicity by the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, were observed.