Effects of trophic 2,2′, 4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) exposure in Oreochromis niloticus: A multiple biomarkers analysis

[Display omitted] •The BDE-47 is one of the most prevalent PBDE congener found in the environment.•Differential responses at different levels of organization were found in O. niloticus.•BDE-47 affected the somatic indexes, hormonal levels, AChE, GST, LPO and histopathology.•The oral exposure to BDE-47 in environmental concentrations is toxic to O. niloticus.•Use of multiple biomarkers is essential for confident BDE toxicity assessment. Polybrominated diphenyl esters are emerging environmental contaminants with few toxicological data, being a concern for the scientific community. This study evaluated the effects of BDE-47 on the health of Oreochromis niloticus fish. The animals were exposed to three doses of BDE-47 (0, 0.253, 2.53, 25.3 ng g−1) every 10 days, for 80 days. The BDE-47 affected the hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic index in female and the condition factor by intermediate dose in both sexes. The levels of estradiol decreased and the T4 are increased, but the vitellogenin production was not modulated in male individuals. Changes in AChE, GST, LPO and histopathology were observed while the integrated biomarker response index suggests that the lowest dose of BDE-47 compromised the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The oral exposure to BDE-47 in environmental concentrations is toxic to O. niloticus and the use of multiple biomarkers is an attribution in ecotoxicology studies and biomonitoring programs.