Parental exposure to plasticizers in treated sewage effluent induces life stage-dependent neurotoxicity in zebrafish F1 offspring

Background: Plasticizers are persistent contaminants commonly detected in treated sewage effluent (TSE), which has raised concerns regarding their potential neurotoxic effects in exposed aquatic species. Objective: This study examined the neurobehavioral and molecular impacts of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of plasticizer-contaminated TSE in adult zebrafish and their offspring. Methods: Adult zebrafish were chronically exposed for three months to TSE collected from three wastewater treatment stations (A, B, C). Locomotor, expression of key neurodevelopmental as well as genes involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated in both adults and embryos to assess life stage–specific and parental exposure-mediated responses in F1 offspring. Results: TSE analysis revealed station specific plasticizer mixtures, with the highest cumulative concentrations detected at Station A. These chemical differences preceded distinct biological effects. Adult zebrafish exhibited.