The effects of ciprofloxacin on early life stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The authors performed a toxicity test with ciprofloxacin in fertilized eggs of common carp according to guideline 210 of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The tested concentrations were 1gL(-1), 100gL(-1), 500gL(-1), 1000gL(-1), and 3000gL(-1). Accelerated hatching was found in all groups exposed to ciprofloxacin, but significant growth reduction was found only in the group exposed to the highest concentration (3000gL(-1)). Increased numbers of macroscopic morphological anomalies were observed on day 6 of the test (after hatching). The highest numbers of macroscopic morphological anomalies were observed in the groups of free embryos and larvae exposed to ciprofloxacin concentrations of 100gL(-1), 500gL(-1), 1000gL(-1), and 3000gL(-1) (20-23% of tested samples). A gradual decrease in glutathione S-transferase activity was detected in all experimental groups exposed to ciprofloxacin, but significant differences (p<0.01) were found only in groups treated with 500gL(-1) and 3000gL(-1). Glutathione peroxidase and catalase exhibited increased activity in most of the tested concentrations (p<0.01 and <0.05, respectively), whereas decreased glutathione reductase activity was found in the groups exposed to ciprofloxacin concentrations of 500gL(-1) and 3000gL(-1) (p<0.05). The concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances was significantly lower (p<0.01) in all experimental groups exposed to ciprofloxacin. The lowest-observed-effect concentration of ciprofloxacin was 1gL(-1). These results suggest that hatching, early ontogeny, occurrence of morphological anomalies, antioxidant and biotransformation enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation in fish can be affected by ciprofloxacin. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1733-1740. (c) 2015 SETAC