Toxicity of o,p′-DDE to medaka d-rR strain after a one-time embryonic exposure by in ovo nanoinjection: an early through juvenile life cycle assessment

The toxicity of o,p′-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-2-(o-chlorophenyl) ethylene) was evaluated in embryos of medaka (Oryzias latipes) following a one time exposure via nanoinjection. Medaka eggs (early gastrula) were injected with 0.5 nl of triolein (vehicle control) or 0.5 nl of 4 graded doses (0.0005–0.5 ng/egg) of o,p′-DDE in triolein. Embryos were allowed to develop, and fry were reared. Embryonic survival was monitored daily during the first 10 d until hatching and thereafter, on a weekly basis until day 59, at which time the fish were monitored for sexual maturity until day 107. In general, o,p′-DDE caused a dose- and time-dependent mortality. No changes in mortality were observed between the last two time points (day 38 and 59, respectively), and hence a 59 day-LD50 of 346 ng o,p′-DDE/egg was derived from the linear dose–response relationship. Prior to late stage death, only isolated cases of cardiovascular lesions and spinal deformities were observed, but were not dose-dependent. The lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL), based on upper 95% CI for regression LINE=0.0018 mg/kg, and the LOAEL based on exposure DOSES=0.5 mg/kg. Likewise, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) based on linear extrapolation to 100% SURVIVAL=0.0000388 mg/kg, while the NOAEL based on exposure DOSES=0.05 mg/kg. The nanoinjection medaka model has potential in the study of hormonally active compounds in the environment.