Embryological Development and Mortality of \u3ci\u3eDanio rerio\u3c/i\u3e in Long Term Exposure to 17α-Ethynylestradiol

Synthetic estrogens as well as other chemicals have become an increasing issue in the impact they have on marine species particularly those sensitive to the environment. A broadly used synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethynylestradiol, has become more widely known to become a growing problem to the ecology of marine wildlife due to increased usage and lack of removal in municipal sewage treatment facilities. This study observes the impact of low level EE2 in embryos following generational exposure. Zebrafish embryos, following three generations of exposure, were observed in rate of mortality, lethality, and hatch success. Concentrations as low as 1ng/L of EE2 has shown to have significant impact in the survival of zebrafish embryos. Removal of EE2 has shown ability of some recovery in zebrafish pointing to the possibility of recovery in areas impacted by EE2 pollution