Exposure to epoxiconazole induces hyperlocomotion in adult zebrafish

Abstract

Global agricultural production is sustained by an elevated use of pesticides. Their application in crops results in environmental contamination, which is demonstrated by widespread detections of these chemicals in aquatic ecosystems. This presence poses a risk to non-target organisms and ecological balance since the effects of potential exposure are misunderstood. Epoxiconazole (EPX) is a widely employed triazole fungicide, which has been frequently reported as a contaminant in superficial waters. However, the behavioral effects of EPX exposure in non-target organisms such as fish remain unexplored. We aimed to investigate the effects of EPX exposure on behavioral and biochemical outcomes, using zebrafish as a model organism. For this purpose, a static system was set with concentrations (24, 144, 240 μg/L) based on the fungicide environmental detection. The novel tank test (NTT) was performed after 96 h of exposure. The social preference test (SPT) was executed after 120 h, as well as the biochemical assays. In the NTT, the animals increased distance traveled, crossings, entries in the top area, and mean speed, indicating hyperlocomotion. No significant effects were observed in the SPT and the biochemical analyses. We suggest that the increased locomotion is related to the stimulant properties of EPX. Our results contribute to an in-depth understanding of this fungicide effects in zebrafish, which is essential for environmental contamination monitoring and management.