PUBLICATION

Reversible loss of reproductive fitness in zebrafish on chronic alcohol exposure

Authors
Dewari, P.S., Ajani, F., Kushawah, G., Kumar, D.S., Mishra, R.K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-160120-5
Date
2016
Source
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)   50: 83-9 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Mishra, Rakesh
Keywords
Alcohol, Anxiety, Chronic alcohol exposure, Fecundity, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Anxiety/chemically induced
  • Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ethanol/adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Fertility/drug effects*
  • Fertility/physiology
  • Male
  • Oviposition/drug effects
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/psychology
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
26781213 Full text @ Alcohol
Abstract
Alcoholism is one of the most prevalent diseases in society and causes significant health and social problems. Alcohol consumption by pregnant women is reported to cause adverse effects on the physical and psychological growth of the fetus. However, the direct effect of chronic alcohol consumption on reproductive fitness has not been tested. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a versatile model system to study the effects of alcohol on behavior and embryonic development. We utilized the zebrafish model system to address the effect of chronic alcohol exposure (0.5% alcohol in the holding tank for 9 weeks) on reproductive capacity. We found a dramatic decrease in fecundity, measured by counting the number of eggs laid, when at least one of the parents is subject to chronic alcohol exposure. Interestingly, a 9-week alcohol withdrawal program completely restored the reproductive capacity of the treated subjects. In agreement with observations on fecundity, the chronic alcohol exposure leads to increased anxiety, as measured by the novel-tank diving assay. Conversely, the withdrawal program diminished heightened anxiety in alcohol-exposed subjects. Our results highlight the adverse effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the reproductive capacity of both males and females, and underscore the utility of the zebrafish model system to understand the biology of chronic alcoholism.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping