Toxicidade do fungicida Mancozeb em larvas de Peixe-zebra Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822) sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e comportamentais

Abstract

The exacerbated use of agrochemicals compromises environmental quality and causes damage to nontarget organisms. Mancozeb (MZ) is a fungicide used in several crops; some aspects of these compounds, such as instability, decomposition, and interactions with the environment, have motivated studies about MZ toxicity on aquatic organisms. The present study evaluates the effects of MZ on behavioral and biochemical parameters in larval phase of Danio rerio (zebrafish). Zebrafish larva at 4, 5- and 6-days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of MZ until 72 h. MZ did not affect the larvae mortality, however, behavioral parameters such as motor ability evaluated by traveled distance, immobile time, and time spent in the peripheral area were deeply affected. Larvae exposed to the highest MZ concentration at 24 h of treatment demonstrated a significant change in ROS generation. An augmented number of apoptotic cells, severe DNA damage followed by antioxidant enzyme alterations were registered. MZ targeted cell signaling proteins, it was observed and induction in the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, and AKT whereas JNK1/2 phosphorylation was inhibited without altering the total content of these proteins. Our findings reveal in an unprecedented way that the larval phase of fishes is susceptible to sublethal doses of MZ, which induced neurotoxicity, ROS formation, and modulation of phosphorylation of cell signaling proteins.