PUBLICATION

Embryonic Nicotine Exposure Disrupts Adult Social Behavior and Craniofacial Development in Zebrafish

Authors
Borrego-Soto, G., Eberhart, J.K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-221027-8
Date
2022
Source
Toxics   10(10): (Journal)
Registered Authors
Eberhart, Johann
Keywords
adult zebrafish, cotinine, craniofacial defects, embryonic exposure, nicotine, social behavior
MeSH Terms
none
PubMed
36287892 Full text @ Toxics
Abstract
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and morbidity worldwide. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with numerous adverse birth outcomes, including craniofacial and behavioral abnormalities. Although tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 toxic substances, nicotine is addictive and is likely the most teratogenic substance in cigarette smoke. However, much remains to be determined about the effects of embryonic nicotine exposure on behavior and craniofacial development. Therefore, this study evaluated adult social behavior in zebrafish, craniofacial defects, and nicotine metabolism in embryos after embryonic nicotine exposure. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different doses of nicotine beginning at 6 h post fertilization. To evaluate craniofacial defects, the embryos were collected at 4 days post fertilization and stained with Alizarin Red and Alcian Blue. For behavioral testing, embryos were reared to adulthood. To evaluate nicotine metabolism, cotinine levels were analyzed at various time points. Our findings demonstrate that embryonic exposure to nicotine modifies social behavior in adulthood, causes craniofacial defects with reduced size of craniofacial cartilages, and that zebrafish metabolize nicotine to cotinine, as in humans. Together, our data suggest that zebrafish are useful as a model for studying nicotine-related diseases.
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