Environmental estrogen(s) induced swimming behavioural alterations in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

- Adult zebrafish were exposed to environmental estrogens in low doses for 75 days.
- Prolonged exposure to EEC in laboratory altered swimming patterns of zebrafish.
- Altered swimming behaviour of fish may indicate contamination of aquatic system.

The present study is an attempt to investigate the effects of long-term (75 days) exposure to environmental estrogens (EE) on the swimming behaviour of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult zebrafish were exposed semi-statically to media containing commonly detected estrogenic water contaminants (EE2, DES and BPA) at a concentration (5 ng/L) much lower than environmentally recorded levels. Time spent in swimming, surface preference, patterns and path of swimming were recorded (6 mins) for each fish using two video cameras on day 15, 30 60 and 75. Video clips were analysed using a software program. Results indicate that chronic exposure to EE leads to increased body weight and size of females, reduced (P < 0.05) swimming time, delay in latency, increased (P < 0.05) immobility, erratic movements and freezing episodes. We conclude that estrogenic contamination of natural aquatic systems induces alterations in locomotor behaviour and associated physiological disturbances in inhabitant fish fauna.