Perturbation of metabonome of embryo/larvae zebrafish after exposure to fipronil.

The escalating demand for fipronil by the increasing insects' resistance to synthetic pyrethroids placed a burden on aquatic vertebrates. Although awareness regarding the toxicity of fipronil to fish is arising, the integral alteration caused by fipronil remains unexplored. Here, we investigated on the development toxicity of fipronil and the metabolic physiology perturbation at 120h post fertilization through GC-MS metabolomics on zebrafish embryo. We observed that fipronil dose-dependently induced malformations including uninflated swim bladder and bent spine. Further, the "omic" technique hit 26 differential metabolites after exposure to fipronil and five significant signaling pathways. We speculated that changes in primary bile acid synthesis pathway and the content of saturated fatty acid in the chemical-related group indicated the liver toxicity. Pathway of Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis changed by fipronil may relate to the macromolecular synthesis. Concurrently, methane metabolism pathway was also identified while the role in zebrafish needs further determination. Overall, this study revealed several new signaling pathways in fipronil-treated zebrafish embryo/larval.

Embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The spine is a complex and vital structure. Its function includes not only structural support of the body as a whole, but it also serves as a conduit for safe passage of the neural elements while allowing proper interaction with the brain. Anatomically, a variety of tissue types are represented in the spine. Embryologically, a detailed cascade of events must occur to result in the proper formation of both the musculoskeletal and neural elements of the spine. Alterations in these embryologic steps can result in one or more congenital abnormalities of the spine. Other body systems forming at the same time embryologically can be affected as well, resulting in associated defects in the cardiopulmonary system and the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. PURPOSE: This article is to serve as a review of the basic embryonic development of the spine. We will discuss the common congenital anomalies of the spine, including their clinical presentation, as examples of errors of this basic embryologic process. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Review of the current literature on the embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities. METHODS: A literature search was performed on the embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities. RESULTS: Development of the spine is a complex event involving genes, signaling pathways and numerous metabolic processes. Various abnormalities are associated with errors in this process. CONCLUSION: Physicians treating patients with congenital spinal deformities should have an understanding of normal embryologic development as well as common associated abnormalities.