TitleNeurodevelopmental low-dose bisphenol A exposure leads to early life-stage hyperactivity and learning deficits in adult zebrafish.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsSaili KS, Corvi MM, Weber DN, Patel AU, Das SR, Przybyla J, Anderson KA, Tanguay RL
JournalToxicology
Volume291
Issue1-3
Pagination83-92
Date Published01/2012
ISSN1879-3185
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Benzhydryl Compounds, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Endocrine Disruptors, Environmental Pollutants, Estradiol, Hydrazines, Hyperkinesis, Larva, Learning Disorders, Maze Learning, Phenols, Receptors, Estrogen, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Reversal Learning, Teratogens, Zebrafish

Developmental bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been implicated in adverse behavior and learning deficits. The mode of action underlying these effects is unclear. The objectives of this study were to identify whether low-dose, developmental BPA exposure affects larval zebrafish locomotor behavior and whether learning deficits occur in adults exposed during development. Two control compounds, 17β-estradiol (an estrogen receptor ligand) and GSK4716 (a synthetic estrogen-related receptor gamma ligand), were included. Larval toxicity assays were used to determine appropriate BPA, 17β-estradiol, and GSK4716 concentrations for behavior testing. BPA tissue uptake was analyzed using HPLC and lower doses were extrapolated using a linear regression analysis. Larval behavior tests were conducted using a ViewPoint Zebrabox. Adult learning tests were conducted using a custom-built T-maze. BPA exposure to <30μM was non-teratogenic. Neurodevelopmental BPA exposure to 0.01, 0.1, or 1μM led to larval hyperactivity or learning deficits in adult zebrafish. Exposure to 0.1μM 17β-estradiol or GSK4716 also led to larval hyperactivity. This study demonstrates the efficacy of using the zebrafish model for studying the neurobehavioral effects of low-dose developmental BPA exposure.

10.1016/j.tox.2011.11.001
Alternate JournalToxicology
PubMed ID22108044
PubMed Central IDPMC3245816
Grant ListP30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210-409017 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210-44 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P42 ES016465-04 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R21 ES018970-02 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R21ES018970 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
T32ES7060 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
Projects Reference: 
Bisphenol A (BPA)