Effects of sublethal concentration of diazinon on the expression of aromatase (CYP 19a) gene in females Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Diazinon is a commonly used poison in agriculture and can be considered a risk for the reproduction of aquatic animals. This study investigated the effect of sub lethal concentration of diazinon on the expression of aromatase (CYP 19a) gene in zebrafish females (Danio rerio). For this study, 600 fish with average weight of 0.15±0.1 g divided in 4 groups with 3 replicates were exposed to concentrations of 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg/ liter of diazinon for 1 month and compared to control group. At the end of trial, samplings were done from gonad tissue and RNA extracted. For cDNA synthesis, the Superscript RTase kit was used and Real Time PCR was done aromatase and beta-actin genes. Evaluation of aromatase gene expression in the diazinon-treated groups, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg/l, showed a dose dependent decrease and aromatase genes expression were 0.98, 0.90 and 0.70 respectively, but was not significant. The results showed that diazinon may have a negative effect on sex development in zebrafish females.