| Gao Xiaotong,Wang Tianzi,Zhu Qiaoqiao,et al.Tritium-induced female reproductive toxicity in zebrafish[J].Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection,2026,46(5):513-521 |
| Tritium-induced female reproductive toxicity in zebrafish |
| Received:March 10, 2025 |
| DOI：10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20250310-00082 |
| KeyWords:Tritium Zebrafish Female Reproductive toxicity |
| FundProject:国家自然科学基金(22076133,22341601) |
| Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail | | Gao Xiaotong | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Wang Tianzi | School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China | | | Zhu Qiaoqiao | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Xue Huiyuan | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Xu Wenxing | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Cui Fengmei | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Chen Na | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Sun Liang | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | | | Tu Yu | State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China | tuyu@suda.edu.cn |
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| Abstract:: |
| Objective To investigate the reproductive effects of subchronic exposure to tritium water in adult female zebrafish at a relatively insensitive stage. Methods According to the random number table method, 3-month-old adult female zebrafish were divided into a control group and groups exposed to tritiated water (HTO) at different activity concentrations (3.7×102, 3.7×103, 1.85×104, 3.7×104 Bq/ml) for 30 d, with 5 fish in each group,and the reproductive damage effects of HTO at the levels of reproductive function, organ development, histiocyte development and biological macromolecules were investigated by studying the spawning volume, gonadal index, histopathological examination of ovarian tissue sections, sex hormone level quantification and related reproductive gene expression levels. Results The tritium concentration in the ovaries showed a significant dependence on the tritium exposure activity concentration. At an exposure activity concentration of 3.7×102 Bq/ml, the bioaccumulation factor(BCF) value was 0.28, while the BCF values of the remaining three exposure groups were stably maintained at 0.55. After HTO exposure, the fecundity of adult female zebrafish in all exposure groups decreased significantly (F=59.42, P<0.05), indicating that reproductive capacity was significantly impaired. The mean fecundity in the 3.7×104 Bq/ml activity concentration group was 163 eggs, representing an approximately 60% decrease compared with the control group (q=19.57, P< 0.05). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) decreased significantly in all groups except the 3.7×102 Bq/ml activity concentration group (F=22.40, P＜0.05). Meanwhile, significant differences in GSI were observed among HTO exposure groups with non-adjacent activity concentrations (q=5.85, 9.63, 7.09, P<0.05). After HTO exposure, follicular degeneration was observed in the ovaries, and follicular liquefaction was detected in the 3.7×104 Bq/ml group. Ovarian histopathological analysis revealed that as the HTO exposure activity concentration increased, there was an accumulation of primary oocytes, a decrease in mature oocytes, and an increase in the types of degenerating germ cells. The expression levels of oocyte stage-specific genes confirmed that subchronic HTO exposure impedes oocyte development. The levels of sex hormones, including estradiol (E2), vitellogenin (VTG), and testosterone (T), showed a decreasing trend. However, significant differences compared to the control group were only observed for E2 and VTG in the 3.7×104 Bq/ml activity concentration group (q=6.27, 6.19, P<0.05). For T, significant differences were noted in the 1.85×104 Bq/ml and 3.7×104 Bq/ml activity concentration groups (q=6.38, 8.34, P<0.05). The expression of key genes involved in estrogen synthesis Cyp19a1, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr), and luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhr) was significantly downregulated in the 1.85×104 Bq/ml activity concentration group (q=8.64, 8.14, 7.26, P<0.05).Conclusions The subchronic tritium water exposure could lead to the decline of reproductive function in adult female zebrafish by disturbing endocrine balance and ovarian structural damage, which provided important data support for evaluating the ecological risk of HTO pollution to aquatic organisms. |
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