<i>Danio rerio</i> as a model for studying reproductive risks associated with human exposure to polychlorinated biphenils: a systematic review

Abstract

This review presents the findings of a comprehensive investigation that involved a systematic search, critical analysis, and synthesis of scientific evidence regarding the impact of a broad range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), on the reproductive functions, postembryonic survival, and morphofunctional development of offspring in the aquarium fish species Danio rerio, commonly known as Zebrafish. These fish are extensively utilized in experimental studies to simulate carcinogenic, mutagenic, and general toxic effects. The literature search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and eLIBRARY.RU databases following the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. A total of 613 articles were identified, out of which 14 were selected for detailed analysis. Among them, 11 focused on assessing the impact of PCB exposure on the reproductive system of Danio rerio. Additionally, 8 articles reported on the results of studying the effects of parental exposure to PCBs on the viability and postembryonic development of their offspring. The adverse effects of PCBs, either alone or in combination with other POPs, have been studied to a lesser extent in male Danio rerio compared to females. Furthermore, the transmission of morphological and functional disorders to subsequent generations resulting from separate parental exposure to PCBs in both sexes, as well as the dose-response relationship, have not been adequately assessed based on the published works. Moreover, developmental disorders in offspring have mostly been studied for the first generation following parental exposure to mixtures of POPs and PCBs. The lack of such information hinders a proper evaluation of the transgenerational risk inheritance phenomenon, specifically regarding the transmission of morphological and functional disorders associated with progenitor exposure to PCBs and other environmental endocrine-disrupting pollutants. The findings of this analysis can be used for planning experimental quantitative assessments, predicting, and preventing impairments to human reproductive health, and safeguarding the well-being of future generations.