Zebrafish developmental toxicity assay: A fishy solution to reproductive toxicity screening, or just a red herring?

The zebrafish embryotoxicity/teratogenicity assay is described as a useful alternative screening model to evaluate the effect of drugs on embryofoetal development.Fertilized eggs were exposed to different concentrations of 15 compounds with teratogenic (8) and non-teratogenic (7) potential until 96 h post-fertilization when 28 morphological endpoints and the level of compound uptake was assessed.The majority of drugs testing positive in mammals was also positive in zebrafish (75% sensitivity), while a relative high number of false positives were noted (43% specificity). Compound uptake determination appears useful for clarifying classifications as teratogenic or potential overdose although assay sensitivity could be improved to 71% if the exposure threshold, previously suggested as ∼50 ng/larvae, is reconsidered.The zebrafish assay shows some potential, though limited in its current form, as a screening tool for developmental toxicity within Janssen drug development. Further assay refinement with respect to endpoints and body burden threshold is required.

► Zebrafish were used to evaluate the effect of drugs on embryofoetal development.
► Good sensitivity and rather poor specificity were obtained.
► Assay refinement with respect to endpoints and body burden threshold is required.