Long term exposure to tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) causes alterations in reproductive hormones, vitellogenin, antioxidant enzymes, and histology of gonads in zebrafish (Danio rerio): In vivo and computational analysis

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology 2022-04, Vol.254, p.109263-109263, Article 109263
• Main Authors: Sutha, Jesudass, Anila, Pottanthara Ashokan, Gayathri, Murugesh, Ramesh, Mathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Estradiol; Growth parameter; Organ anomalies; Organophosphates; TCEP; Testosterone
• ISSN: 1532-0456; 1878-1659
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109263

In aquatic milieus, tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) was detected as an emerging environmental contaminant. In this study, in vivo experiment and in-silico docking was integrated systematically to explore the toxic mechanisms of TCEP using zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish (mean weight of 0.24 ± 0.02 g) were exposed to 100 and 1500 μg L−1 concentrations of TCEP for 28 days under the static renewal method. During chronic exposure, plasma steroid hormones such as testosterone (T) and 17β estradiol (E2), plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in gonads were significantly (P  0.05) in the growth parameters comparing TCEP exposed groups with the control group. The gonads of fish exposed to TCEP showed significant histopathological changes when compared to the control groups. A docking study observed that TCEP possessed binding affinity with the estrogen receptor (ERβ) and androgen receptor (AR). These data indicate that TCEP at tested concentrations adversely affects the aquatic organisms. [Display omitted] •In zebrafish, growth performance was impaired by TCEP at 100 and 1500 µg L−1 concentrations.•TCEP significantly altered the oestrogen (E2), testosterone (T) and vitellogenin (VTG) levels in male and female fish.•TCEP causes oxidative stress which leads to the histological alterations in zebrafish.•TCEP had different interactions with hormones through hydrogen bonding•These data indicate that TCEP at tested concentrations adversely affects the aquatic organisms.