Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) exposure to zebrafish embryos causes lethal and severe teratogenic effects

Abstract

The assessment of lethal and teratogenic effects of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) using zebrafish embryo toxicity test for 72 h was performed. Following UDMH concentrations were studied for embryotoxic effects: 0.64M, 0.13M, 0.06M, 0.04M, 5x10-3M and 1,7x10-3M after 3 h embryo exposure to UDMH at 7-10 hpf. It was shown that high UDMH concentrations (0,64М, 0,13М, and 0,06М) possess significant embryotoxic action to D.rerio embryos followed by concentration-dependent embryo lysis. 0.04M UDMH and vapors caused severe teratogenic effects and growth retardation prior to hatching resulted in embryo mortality to 48 hpf and 72 hpf, respectively. Zebrafish embryos exposure to low UDMH concentrations of 5x10-3M and 1,7x10-3M caused no significant lethal, but pronounced teratogenic effect (in latter case accumulated from 24 to 72 hpf), with observed malformations of spinal cord and tail tip, yolk sac and pericardial edemas, hypopigmentation. Thus short term 3 h. exposure of D.rerio embryos to UDMH at gastrulation stage induces alterations that further revealed themselves throughout embryonic development causing dose-dependent lethal and teratogenic effects.