ZFIN ID: ZDB-PERS-030725-2
Witters, Hilda
Email: hilda.witters@vito.be
URL: http://www.vito.be
Affiliation:
Address: Environmental Toxicology Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito) Boeretang 200 Mol, B-2400 Belgium
Country:
Phone: 32-14-335213
Fax: 32-14-582657
ORCID ID:


BIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
Zebrafish as an alternative "in vitro" test system: developmental neurotoxicity and gene expression
Aquatic toxicology, hormone disruption, and genetic toxicology.


PUBLICATIONS
Di Paolo, C., Hoffmann, S., Witters, H., Carrillo, J.C. (2021) Minimum reporting standards based on a comprehensive review of the zebrafish embryo teratogenicity assay. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 127:105054
Stinckens, E., Vergauwen, L., Ankley, G.T., Blust, R., Darras, V.M., Villeneuve, D.L., Witters, H., Volz, D.C., Knapen, D. (2018) An AOP-based alternative testing strategy to predict the impact of thyroid hormone disruption on swim bladder inflation in zebrafish. Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 200:1-12
Verstraelen, S., Peers, B., Maho, W., Hollanders, K., Remy, S., Berckmans, P., Covaci, A., Witters, H. (2016) Phenotypic and biomarker evaluation of zebrafish larvae as an alternative model to predict mammalian hepatotoxicity. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT. 36(9):1194-206
Stinckens, E., Vergauwen, L., Schroeder, A.L., Maho, W., Blackwell, B.R., Witters, H., Blust, R., Ankley, G.T., Covaci, A., Villeneuve, D.L., Knapen, D. (2016) Impaired anterior swim bladder inflation following exposure to the thyroid peroxidase inhibitor 2-mercaptobenzothiazole part II: Zebrafish. Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 173:204-17
Busquet, F., Strecker, R., Rawlings, J.M., Belanger, S.E., Braunbeck, T., Carr, G.J., Cenijn, P., Fochtman, P., Gourmelon, A., Hübler, N., Kleensang, A., Knöbel, M., Kussatz, C., Legler, J., Lillicrap, A., Martínez-Jerónimo, F., Polleichtner, C., Rzodeczko, H., Salinas, E., Schneider, K.E., Scholz, S., Brandhof, E.J., van der Ven, L.T., Walter-Rohde, S., Weigt, S., Witters, H., Halder, M. (2014) OECD validation study to assess intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of the zebrafish embryo toxicity test for acute aquatic toxicity testing. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 69(3):496-511
Selderslaghs, I.W., Hooyberghs, J., Blust, R., and Witters, H.E. (2013) Assessment of the developmental neurotoxicity of compounds by measuring locomotor activity in zebrafish embryos and larvae. Neurotoxicology and teratology. 37:44-56
Strähle, U., Scholz, S., Geisler, R., Greiner, P., Hollert, H., Rastegar, S., Schumacher, A., Selderslaghs, I., Weiss, C., Witters, H., and Braunbeck, T. (2012) Zebrafish embryos as an alternative to animal experiments-A commentary on the definition of the onset of protected life stages in animal welfare regulations. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.). 33(2):128-132
Selderslaghs, I.W., Blust, R., and Witters, H.E. (2012) Feasibility study of the zebrafish assay as an alternative method to screen for developmental toxicity and embryotoxicity using a training set of 27 compounds. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.). 33(2):142-154
Busch, W., Duis, K., Fenske, M., Maack, G., Legler, J., Padilla, S., Strähle, U., Witters, H., and Scholz, S. (2011) The zebrafish embryo model in toxicology and teratology. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.). 31(4):585-588
Selderslaghs, I.W., Hooyberghs, J., De Coen, W., and Witters, H.E. (2010) Locomotor activity in zebrafish embryos: A new method to assess developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology and teratology. 32(4):460-471
Selderslaghs, I.W., Van Rompay, A.R., De Coen, W., and Witters, H.E. (2009) Development of a screening assay to identify teratogenic and embryotoxic chemicals using the zebrafish embryo. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.). 28(3):308-320
Van Den Belt, K., Berckmans, P., Vangenechten, C., Verheyen, R., and Witters, H. (2004) Comparative study on the in vitro/in vivo estrogenic potencies of 17beta-estradiol, estrone, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol and nonylphenol. Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 66(2):183-195
van den Belt, K., Verheyen, R., and Witters, H. (2003) Comparison of vitellogenin responses in zebrafish and rainbow trout following exposure to environmental estrogens. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety. 56(2):271-281
van den Belt, K., Verheyen, R., and Witters, H. (2003) Effects of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in a partial life-cycle test with zebrafish (Danio rerio): effects on growth, gonads and female reproductive success. The Science of the total environment. 309(1-3):127-137
van den Belt, K., Wester, P.W., van der Ven, L.T.M., Verheyen, R., and Witters, H. (2002) Effects of ethynylestradiol on the reproductive physiology in zebrafish (Danio rerio): time dependency and reversibility. Environmental toxicology and chemistry. 21(4):767-775
Van den Belt, K., Verheyen, R., and Witters, H. (2001) Reproductive effects of ethynylestradiol and 4t-octylphenol on the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology. 41(4):458-467
van den Belt, K., Van Puymbroeck, S., and Witters, H. (2000) Toxicity of cadmium-contaminated clay to the zebrafish Danio rerio. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology. 38(2):191-196

NON-ZEBRAFISH PUBLICATIONS
Witters H, Vangenechten J.H.D., Van Puymbroeck S., Vanderborght O. (1984). Interference of aluminium and pH on the Na-influx in an aquatic insect Corixa punctata (Illig.). Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 32, 575-579.

Witters, H.E. (1986). Acute acid exposure of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson : effects of aluminium and calcium on ion balance and haematology. Aquat. Toxicol. 8: 197-210.

Goossenaerts, C., Van Grieken, R., Jacob, W., Witters, H. and Vanderborght, O. (1988). A micro-analytical study of the gills of aluminium exposed rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Intern. J. Environm. Anal. Chem. 34, 227-237.

Vangenechten J.H.D., Witters H. and Vanderborght O.L.J.(1989). Laboratory studies on invertebrate survival and physiology in acid waters. Chapter in ²Acid toxicity and aquatic animals², Morris R.,
Taylor E.W., Brown D.J.A. & Brown J.A. (eds). p. 153-169. Cambridge University Press.

Witters, H.E., Van Puymbroeck, S., Van Den Sande, I. and Vanderborght, O.L.J. (1990). Haematological disturbances and osmotic shifts in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) under acid and aluminium exposure. J. Comp.. Physiol. B 160, 563-571.

Witters, H.E., S. Van Puymbroeck, J.H.D. Vangenechten and O.L.J. Vanderborght. (1990). The effect of humic substances on the toxicity of aluminium to adult rainbow trout. Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). J. Fish Biol. 37, 43-53.

Witters, H.E., S. Van Puymbroeck and O.L.J. Vanderborght. (1991). Adrenergic response to physiological disturbances in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, exposed to aluminum at acid pH. Can. J. Fish Aquat. Sci. 48, 414-420.

Bogaerts K.M., Witters H.E. , Vets S., Vanderborght O. (1991). Aluminium and pH effects on some osmoregulatory and haematological parameters of the acid-resistant American bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Belg. J. Zool. 121, 81-86

Witters, H.E., Van Puymbroeck, S. and Vanderborght, O.L.J. (1992). Branchial and renal ion fluxes and transepithelial electrical potential differences in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss : effects of aluminium at low pH. Environm. Biol. Fishes 34, 197-206.

Eeckhaoudt, S., Jacob, W., Witters, H. and Van Grieken, R. (1993). X-ray micro-analysis of aluminium in pumpkinseed gills. Europ. J. Morphol., 31, 42-45.

Verbost, P.M., Berntssen, M.H.G., Kroglund F., Lydersen E., Witters H.E., Rosseland B., Salbu B., Wendelaar Bonga S. (1995). The toxic mixing zone of neutral and acidic river water: acute aluminium toxicity in brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Water, Air and Soil Pollution 85, 341-346

Eeckhaoudt S., Jacob W.,. Van Grieken R., Landsberg J., Watt F., Witters, H (1995). Micro-analytical study of the aluminum distribution in bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) gills. Microbeam analysis 4, 103-117.

Witters H., Van Puymbroeck S., Stouthart A. and Wendelaar Bonga S. (1996). Physico-chemical changes of aluminium in mixing zones are related to mortality and physiological disturbances in brown trout Salmo trutta L. Environm. Toxicol. Chem. 15(6), 986-996.

Witters H., Berckmans P., Vangenechten C. (1996). Immunolocalization fo Na+, K+ - ATPase in the gill epithelium of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Cell Tissue Res. 283, 461-468.

Witters H.E. (1998). Disorders associated with environmental pH. Chapter 7 in ² Fish diseases and disorders. Volume 2 : Non-infectious disorders.² Leatherland J.F.& Woo P.T.K.(eds.). p. 187-206. CABI Publishing.

Witters, H. (1998) Chemical speciation dynamics and toxicity assessment in aquatic systems. Ecotox. Environ. Safety 41, 90-95

Witters H., Berckmans P., Vangenechten C. (2000). Detection of estrogenic activity in Flemish surface waters using and in vitro recombinant assay with yeast cells. Water, Science & Technology, 43 (2),117-123

Weltens R., Witters H. and Corbisier P.(2001). Ecotoxic impact of suspended solids collected from polluted surface waters. J Soils & Sediments 1 (4), 223-233

Lange I., Daxenberger A., Schiffer B., Witters H., Dolores I., H.D. Meyer (2002). Sex hormones originating from different livestock production systems: fate and potential disrupting activity in the environment. Analytica Chimica Acta, 473, 27-37