Microcystin-LR immersion caused sequential endocrine disruption and growth inhibition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) from fertilization to sexual differentiation completion

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a highly toxic congener and is also one of the most commonly found. Recent studies have demonstrated that MC-LR can disrupt growth and endocrine in fish, but how it works at the stage of the sex differentiation period had not been determined to date. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to MC-LR (0 and 10 μg/L), and sampled at 14, 28, and 42 days post fertilization (dpf), respectively. The results demonstrated that MC-LR caused the growth inhibition of zebrafish at 42 dpf. The expression levels of genes related to the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH/IGF) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes, as well as the levels of hormone 3,5,3′- triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), were significantly decreased at all time points. A significant decrease in the ratio of testosterone and estradiol (T/E2) were detected at 28 and 42 dpf in MC-LR group along with changes in genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. The result of sex ratio showed that the percentage of females was up to 61.84%, indicating a estrogenic effect induced by MC-LR. The significant changes on hormone levels and gene transcripts occurred mainly in the stage of sex differentiation. The correlation analysis further suggested that key cross-talks among three endocrine axes may be the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), transthyretin (TTR) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling molecules. Overall, our findings provide a new insight for understanding the mechanisms by which MC-LR affects fish growth and reproduction during gonadal development. [Display omitted] •MC-LR attenuated growth of zebrafish during sexual differentiation.•MC-LR caused sequential endocrine disruption through GH/IGF and HPT axes during sexual differentiation.•MC-LR affects sex hormone synthesis and secretion of zebrafish and thus sexual differentiation.•The levels of hormone and gene transcripts were susceptible at the stage of sex differentiation.