Evaluation of toxicity and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson-like induced by rotenone in zebrafish animal model

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In this study, the effects of exposure to rotenone on development were evaluated, particularly teratogenic and behavioral endpoints in the early life stages of zebrafish. This can serve as a model for Parkinson-like motor and non-motor symptoms, and anxiety-like behavior. The endpoints of percent epiboly, teratogenic effects, mortality, morphometry, thigmotaxis (TH), touch sensitivity (TS), and optomotor response (OMR) were analyzed in zebrafish embryo-larvae stage exposed to rotenone (5 to 20 µg/L). An increase in mortality of zebrafish was observed at 15 and 20 µg/L rotenone concentrations. The rotenone reduced the percent epiboly and increased the presence of teratogenic effects at concentrations of 10, 15, and 20 µg/L. Head and body size reductions were observed at all rotenone concentrations tested. Anxiety-like behaviors were observed with decreased displays of TH behavior in larvae exposed to 15 and 20 µg/L of rotenone. TS was reduced by 20 µg/L rotenone treatment. OMR and the eye diameter of zebrafish were not affected by rotenone exposure. Our results showed that rotenone has the potential to provoke non-motor symptoms, mainly anxiety-like behaviors, in the zebrafish's early life stages, making it a potential model for the study of Parkinson-like disease.

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