Effects of the UV-filter Oxybenzone on estrogen and testosterone levels in adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62480/tjabs.2024.vol30.pp1-6Keywords:
mitigate, awareness, broaderAbstract
The usage of sunscreens has become integral in daily skincare routines due to their role in preventing sunburns and reducing the risk of skin cancer. One type of sunscreens is chemical sunscreens, encompassing compounds like Oxybenzone, which absorb and convert UV radiation. While Oxybenzone is recognized for its efficacy in UV protection, concerns regarding its safety have emerged. Furthermore, research suggests Oxybenzone may be a hormone disruptor, potentially affecting aquatic ecosystems and organisms like Zebrafish (Danio rerio). This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute exposure to Oxybenzone on hormone levels, specifically estrogen (17-beta estradiol) and testosterone, in adult Zebrafish. Significant alterations in hormone concentrations were observed through controlled exposure experiments. Testosterone levels were notably reduced in fish exposed to Oxybenzone, while 17-beta-estradiol concentrations increased, indicating potential endocrine-disrupting effects. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the ecological implications of sunscreen ingredients beyond their intended human benefits. Further research is warranted to elucidate the broader impact of Oxybenzone on aquatic environments and wildlife, guiding regulatory measures and public awareness efforts to mitigate potential harm
References
Avdesh, A., Chen, M., Martin-Iverson, M. T., Mondal, A., Ong, D., Rainey-Smith, S., Taddei, K.,
Lardelli, M., Groth, D. M., Verdile, G., & Martins, R. N. (2012). Regular Care and Maintenance of a
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Laboratory: An Introduction. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 69, 4196.
Berwick, M., Fine, J. A., & Bolognia, J. L. (1992). Sun exposure and sunscreen use following a
community skin cancer screening. Preventive Medicine, 21(3), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-
(92)90029-H
Blüthgen, N., Zucchi, S., & Fent, K. (2012). Effects of the UV filter benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) at
low concentrations in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 263(2), 184–
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2012.06.008
Boueid, M. J., El-Hage, O., Schumacher, M., Degerny, C., & Tawk, M. (2023). Zebrafish as an
emerging model to study estrogen receptors in neural development. Frontiers in endocrinology, 14,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1240018
Bratkovics, S., & Sapozhnikova, Y. (2011). Determination of seven commonly used organic UV filters
in fresh and saline waters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Analytical Methods,
(12), 2943. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1ay05390f
Carvalhais, A., Pereira, B., Sabato, M., Seixas, R., Dolbeth, M., Marques, A., Guilherme, S., Pereira,
P., Pacheco, M., & Mieiro, C. (2021). Mild Effects of Sunscreen Agents on a Marine Flatfish:
Oxidative Stress, Energetic Profiles, Neurotoxicity and Behaviour in Response to Titanium Dioxide
Nanoparticles and Oxybenzone. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), 1567.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041567
Chang, J., Liu, S., Zhou, S., Wang, M., & Zhu, G. (2013). Effects of butachlor on reproduction and
hormone levels in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 65(1–2),
–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etp.2011.08.007
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2021, September 24). An update on sunscreen
requirements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2022, from
Chen, T. H., Wu, Y. T., & Ding, W. H. (2016). UV-filter benzophenone-3 inhibits agonistic behavior
in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Ecotoxicology (London, England), 25(2), 302–309.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1588-410. Coronado, M., De Haro, H., Deng, X., Rempel, M. A., Lavado, R., & Schlenk, D. (2008). Estrogenic
activity and reproductive effects of the UV-filter oxybenzone (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylmethanone) in fish. Aquatic Toxicology, 90(3), 182–187.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2008.08.018
Downs, C. A., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Segal, R., Fauth, J., Knutson, S., Bronstein, O., Ciner, F. R.,
Jeger, R., Lichtenfeld, Y., Woodley, C. M., Pennington, P., Cadenas, K., Kushmaro, A., & Loya, Y.
(2016). Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on
Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70(2), 265–288.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7
Dubińska-Magiera, M., Daczewska, M., Lewicka, A., Migocka-Patrzałek, M., Niedbalska-Tarnowska,
J., & Jagla, K. (2016). Zebrafish: A Model for the Study of Toxicants Affecting Muscle Development
and Function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(11), 1941.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111941
Kinnberg, K. L., Petersen, G. I., Albrektsen, M., Minghlani, M., Awad, S. M., Holbech, B. F., Green,
J. W., Bjerregaard, P., & Holbech, H. (2015). Endocrine-disrupting effect of the ultraviolet filter
benzophenone-3 in zebrafish, Danio rerio. Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 34(12), 2833–
https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.3129
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII (2018). Twenty-ninth legislature, 2018 Saba no state
bill for an. capitol.hawaii.gov. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/bills/SB2571_CD1_.pdf
Lee, S., Eghan, K., Lee, J., Yoo, D., Yoon, S., & Kim, W.-K. (2020). Zebrafish Embryonic Exposure
to BPAP and Its Relatively Weak Thyroid Hormone-Disrupting Effects. Toxics, 8(4), 103.
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics8040103
Meng, Q., Yeung, K., Kwok, M. L., Chung, C. T., Hu, X. L., & Chan, K. M. (2020). Toxic effects and
transcriptome analyses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae exposed to benzophenones. Environmental
Pollution, 265, 114857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114857
O’Malley, E., McLachlan, M. S., O’Brien, J. W., Verhagen, R., & Mueller, J. F. (2021). The presence
of selected UV filters in a freshwater recreational reservoir and fate in controlled experiments. Science
of The Total Environment, 754, 142373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142373
OPINION on Benzophenone-3 (CAS No 131-57-7, EC No 205-031-5) (PDF). Scientific Committee
on Consumer Safety (SCCS). European Commission. March, 2021– via ec.europa.eu
Ouchene, L., Litvinov, I. V., & Netchiporouk, E. (2019). Hawaii and Other Jurisdictions Ban
Oxybenzone or Octinoxate Sunscreens Based on the Confirmed Adverse Environmental Effects of
Sunscreen Ingredients on Aquatic Environments. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 23(6),
–649. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475419871592
Pedroso, G. L., Hammes, T. O., Escobar, T. D. C., Fracasso, L. B., Forgiarini, L. F., & da Silveira, T.
R. (2012). Blood Collection for Biochemical Analysis in Adult Zebrafish. Journal of Visualized
Experiments, 63, 3865. https://doi.org/10.3791/3865
Reyhanian Caspillo, N., Volkova, K., Hallgren, S., Olsson, P.-E., & Porsch-Hällström, I. (2014). Shortterm treatment of adult male zebrafish (Danio Rerio) with 17α-ethinyl estradiol affects the
transcription of genes involved in development and male sex differentiation. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 164, 35–42.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2014.04.003
Semones, M. C., Sharpless, C. M., MacKay, A. A., & Chin, Y.-P. (2017). Photodegradation of UV
filters oxybenzone and sulisobenzone in wastewater effluent and by dissolved organic matter. Applied
Geochemistry, 83, 150–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2017.02.008
Siller, A., Blaszak, S. C., Lazar, M., & Olasz Harken, E. (2018). Update About the Effects of the
Sunscreen Ingredients Oxybenzone and Octinoxate on Humans and the Environment. Plastic Surgical
Nursing, 38(4), 158–161. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSN.0000000000000244
Simons, K., Thibault, O., Nolen, R., Umeki, Y., Faulkner, P., Petersen, L., & Hala, D. (2022). A
systems toxicological analysis of oxybenzone effects on the metabolic physiology of embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environmental Advances, 9, 100308.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100308
Westerfield, M. (2007) THE ZEBRAFISH BOOK, 5th Edition; A guide for the laboratory use of
zebrafish (Danio rerio), Eugene, University of Oregon Press. Paperback
Yang, M., Qiu, W., Chen, J., Zhan, J., Pan, C., Lei, X., & Wu, M. (2014). Growth inhibition and
coordinated physiological regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos upon sublethal exposure to
antidepressant amitriptyline. Aquatic Toxicology, 151, 68–76.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.12.029
Zhang, Y., Shah, P., Wu, F., Liu, P., You, J., & Goss, G. (2021). Potentiation of lethal and sub-lethal
effects of benzophenone and oxybenzone by UV light in zebrafish embryos. Aquatic Toxicology, 235,
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
User Rights
Under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC), the author (s) and users are free to share (copy, distribute and transmit the contribution).
Rights of Authors
Authors retain the following rights:
1. Copyright and other proprietary rights relating to the article, such as patent rights,
2. the right to use the substance of the article in future works, including lectures and books,
3. the right to reproduce the article for own purposes, provided the copies are not offered for sale,
4. the right to self-archive the article.
