Exposure to insecticides inhibits embryo development and emergence in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Exposure to environmental levels of the sheep-dip insecticides cypermethrin and diazinon inhibited embryo development in Atlantic salmon. Brief exposure to eggs and milt during fertilisation affected both the number of fry that emerged and the time of emergence. Following insecticide exposure there was a higher incidence of fry deformities and a reduction in the survival of the fry. This may have implications for the successful reproduction of salmon in contaminated waters.