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Author Analytic: Tiedeken, J.A.; J.S. Ramsdell
Center: CCEHBR
Title Analytic: DDT Exposure of Zebrafish Embryos Enhances Seizure Susceptibility: Relationship to Fetal p,p’ –DDE Burden and Domoic Acid Exposure of California Sea Lions
Journal Title: Environmental Health Perspectives
Date of Publication: 2009
Volume ID: 117
Issue ID: 1
Location In Work: 68-73
 Location URL: doi:10.1289/ehp.11685
Keywords: Danio rerio; DDT; domoic acid; seizures; zebrafish
 Availability: John.Ramsdell@noaa.gov
Type: Journal Article
 Abstract: Background: California sea lions have a large body burden of organochlorine pesticides and over the last decade have also been subject to domoic acid poisoning. Domoic acid poisoning, previously recognized in adult animals, is now viewed as a major cause of prenatal mortality. The appearance of a chronic juvenile domoic acid disease in the sea lions, characterized by behavioral abnormalities and epilepsy, is consistent with early life poisoning and may be potentiated by organochlorine burden. Objective: We investigate the interactive effect of DDT on neurodevelopment using a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) model for seizure behavior to examine the susceptibility to domoic acid inducedseizures after completion of neurodevelopment. Methods: Embryos were exposed (6-30 hpf) to either o,p’-DDT or p,p’-DDE during neurodevelopment via a 0.1% DMSO solution. These larval (7 dpf) fish were then exposed to either the seizure inducing drug, PTZ or domoic acid and resulting seizure behavior was monitored and analyzed for changes using cameras and behavioral tracking software. Results: Embryonic exposure to DDTs enhanced PTZ seizures and caused distinct and increased seizure behaviors to domoic acid, most notably a type of headshaking behavior. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that embryonic exposure to DDTs leads to asymptomatic animals at completion of neurodevelopment with greater sensitivity to domoic acid induced seizures. The body burden levels of p,p’-DDE are close to the range recently found in fetal California sea lions and suggest a potential interactive effect of p,p’-DDE embryonic poisoning and domoic acid toxicity.
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