Specificity of time- and dose-dependent morphological endpoints in the fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test for substances with diverse modes of action: the search for a “fingerprint”

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16354-4
• Publication Date: 2021-10-13T15:19:22Z
• Authors: Rebecca von Hellfeld; Pauline Pannetier; Thomas Braunbeck
• Keywords: Toxicant; Danio; Environmental toxicology

Abstract The fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test with the zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) according to OECD TG 236 was originally developed as an alternative method for testing to, e.g., 203. Given versatility of protocol, however, FET has found application beyond a common tool in environmental hazard and risk assessment. Whereas standard guideline is restricted four core endpoints (coagulation well lack somite formation, heartbeat, tail detachment) simple, rapid assessment toxicity, further can easily be integrated into protocol. This led hypothesis that extended might allow identification different classes toxicants via “fingerprint” morphological observations. To this hypothesis, present study investigated set 18 compounds highly diverse modes action respect sublethal endpoints. Especially at higher concentrations, most observations proved toxicant-unspecific. With decreasing declined number, but gained specificity. Specific may best made concentrations ≤ EC 10 . existence based on is, therefore, unlikely range cannot excluded experiments concentrations.