The impact of musk ketone on reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Nitro musks ale a group of nitrated benzenes mainly used by the fragrance i ndustry as a substitute for natural musk. Two of the most common nitro musk s, musk xylene and musk ketone, have been detected in water, fish, human ad ipose tissue, as well as inhuman breast milk. In this study, female zebrafi sh were dietary-exposed to musk ketone, prior to spawning with unexposed ma les. The fish were exposed for 8 weeks at two different dose levels. Accumu lation of the compound in the fish as well as reproductive success were stu died. Exposed females had reduced body weight and length, as well as reduce d liver- and gonad somatic index. The results from the reproduction study s howed a dose-dependent reduction in fecundity. Early life-stage mortality w as increased and the median survival time was reduced. In addition, an embr yo/larvae toxicity test was performed, using newly fertilized zebrafish egg s from unexposed parental fish. Eggs were exposed to a series of different concentrations of musk ketone via the surrounding water. A NOEC value of 10 mug/l and a LOEC value of 33 mug/l was determined. Conclusively, the prese nt study clearly shows that musk ketone negatively affects reproduction and early life-stage survival in zebrafish. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.