Long-term exposure to environmental relevant triclosan induces reproductive toxicity on adult zebrafish and its potential mechanism

Triclosan (TCS) is widely used in personal care products and has become a contaminant ubiquitously found in the aquatic environment. It is reported exposure to triclosan can cause serious toxic effects on aquatic animals. However, the molecular mechanisms about long-term exposure to TCS-induced reproductive toxicity are not well elucidated. In the present study, adult zebrafish were exposed to TCS (2, 20 and 200 mu g/L) for 150 days, and then the reproductive capacity assessment, steroid hormone and VTG quantitative measurement, histopathology observation and RNA sequencing analysis were performed to investigate the effects of TCS . on its reproduction. The results indicated that long-term exposure to TCS causes the regulation disorder of the endocrine system, resulting in a reduction of the number of normal germ cells, and ultimately a decrease in the hatching rate and survival rate of offspring. This study revealed the toxic effects and contributed to our deep understanding about the potential disease of TCS exposure in the aquatic environment.

Automated summary

In this study, adult zebrafish were exposed to triclosan for 150 days, and it was found that long-term exposure to triclosan caused endocrine disruption, reduced germ cell count, and decreased hatching rate and survival rate of offspring. This research provided important insights into the potential diseases caused by triclosan exposure in the aquatic environment.