EFFECTS OF CRUDE OIL ON THE EARLY LIFE STAGE OF ZEBRAFISH

Abstract

To clarify the toxic response of crude oil on fish development, two laboratory studies were conducted. Zebrafish embryos (96 hrs post-fertilization) were exposed to water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Iranian Heavy Crude (IHC) and weathered Alaska North slop crude oil (ANSCO) and oiled gravel effluent of IHC. Regarding our results in relation pericardial edema and effluent of pericardium hemolymph were observed in all oil exposed groups. Extend of pericardium defects was stronger those of weathered oil exposed groups and malformed tail was shown especially at all of IHC exposed embryos. The expression of CYP1A in embryo was assessed by immunofluorescence. CYP1A immunofluorescence activity showed significantly in the endothelium of head, epidermis and endocardium. Our results confirm that fish embryos exposed to the crude oil may disrupt the cardiac function and shape of fish tail during development which is highly relevant for fitness and survival.