Life-cycle exposure of Fathead minnows to environmentally relevant concentrations of the B-blocker drug Propranolol

Life-cycle exposure of Fathead minnows to environmentally relevant concentrations of the B-blocker drug Propranolol Propranolol is a human pharmaceutical b-blocker that has been detected in municipal wastewater effluents in low concentrations. To assess the potential of this compound to affect fish, Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for a life cycle in a flow-through system to nominal propranolol concentrations. During the 162-day to 165-day exposure, no significant changes in weights or lengths were seen in Fathead minnows, although the highest concentration of propranolol did cause a 15% decrease in survival of larval and juvenile stage fish compared with controls. At maturity, there were no significant changes in condition factor, liver-somatic index, or secondary sex characteristics in propranolol-exposed male or female fish. Female gonadosomatic index was significantly decreased in fish exposed to the highest concentrations of propranolol, probably because of increased egg-laying. Propranolol exposure caused no effects in Fathead minnows, except at the highest exposure concentration, where there were slight decreases in survival of juvenile minnows, and indications of increased reproduction. The present study is important because it is the first to assess the potential for effects in fish exposed to propranolol for a life cycle. Supplemental Information The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is a Government of Canada initiative aimed at reducing the risks posed by chemicals to Canadians and their environment. A key element of the Chemicals Management Plan is the monitoring and surveillance of levels of harmful chemicals in Canadians and their environment. Monitoring and surveillance are essential to identify and track exposure to hazards in the environment and associated health implications. Monitoring and surveillance programs provide the basis for making sound and effective public health and environmental health policies and interventions, as well as measuring the efficacy of control measures. In support of the Chemicals Management Plan, monitoring and surveillance initiatives were established to support Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists, in collaboration with external partners and researchers, to advance our knowledge. This initiative has allowed the Government of Canada to increase its commitment to a number of existing monitoring initiatives, as well as to support new efforts. For more information on the Chemicals Management Plan, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/chemicals-management-plan.html 2024-06-09 Environment and Climate Change Canada DRCADonneesOuvertes-ACRDOpenData@ec.gc.ca Nature and EnvironmentPropranololFathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)Life cyclePharmaceutical chemicalstoxicityChemicals Management Plan (CMP)ContaminantsBiochemicals CMP_FatheadMinnow_Propranolol_Exposure_EN_FR.csvCSV https://data-donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/substances/monitor/life-cycle-exposure-of-fathead-minnows-to-environmentally-relevant-concentrations-of-the-b-blocker-drug-propranolol/CMP_FatheadMinnow_Propranolol_Exposure_EN_FR.csv Scientific Publication - Life‐cycle exposure of fathead minnows to environmentally relevant concentrations of the β‐blocker drug propranololHTML https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.3703 View ECCC Data Mart (English)HTML https://data-donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/substances/monitor/life-cycle-exposure-of-fathead-minnows-to-environmentally-relevant-concentrations-of-the-b-blocker-drug-propranolol/ View ECCC Data Mart (French)HTML https://data-donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/substances/monitor/life-cycle-exposure-of-fathead-minnows-to-environmentally-relevant-concentrations-of-the-b-blocker-drug-propranolol/?lang=fr

Propranolol is a human pharmaceutical b-blocker that has been detected in municipal wastewater effluents in low concentrations. To assess the potential of this compound to affect fish, Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for a life cycle in a flow-through system to nominal propranolol concentrations. During the 162-day to 165-day exposure, no significant changes in weights or lengths were seen in Fathead minnows, although the highest concentration of propranolol did cause a 15% decrease in survival of larval and juvenile stage fish compared with controls. At maturity, there were no significant changes in condition factor, liver-somatic index, or secondary sex characteristics in propranolol-exposed male or female fish. Female gonadosomatic index was significantly decreased in fish exposed to the highest concentrations of propranolol, probably because of increased egg-laying. Propranolol exposure caused no effects in Fathead minnows, except at the highest exposure concentration, where there were slight decreases in survival of juvenile minnows, and indications of increased reproduction. The present study is important because it is the first to assess the potential for effects in fish exposed to propranolol for a life cycle.

Supplemental Information

The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is a Government of Canada initiative aimed at reducing the risks posed by chemicals to Canadians and their environment. A key element of the Chemicals Management Plan is the monitoring and surveillance of levels of harmful chemicals in Canadians and their environment. Monitoring and surveillance are essential to identify and track exposure to hazards in the environment and associated health implications. Monitoring and surveillance programs provide the basis for making sound and effective public health and environmental health policies and interventions, as well as measuring the efficacy of control measures.

In support of the Chemicals Management Plan, monitoring and surveillance initiatives were established to support Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists, in collaboration with external partners and researchers, to advance our knowledge. This initiative has allowed the Government of Canada to increase its commitment to a number of existing monitoring initiatives, as well as to support new efforts.

For more information on the Chemicals Management Plan, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/chemicals-management-plan.html

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