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  • Dilute concentrations of a psychiatric drug alter behavior of fish from natural populations.

Dilute concentrations of a psychiatric drug alter behavior of fish from natural populations.

Science (New York, N.Y.) (2013-02-16)
T Brodin, J Fick, M Jonsson, J Klaminder
ABSTRACT

Environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals is increasingly recognized as a major threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. A variety of pharmaceuticals enter waterways by way of treated wastewater effluents and remain biochemically active in aquatic systems. Several ecotoxicological studies have been done, but generally, little is known about the ecological effects of pharmaceuticals. Here we show that a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug (oxazepam) alters behavior and feeding rate of wild European perch (Perca fluviatilis) at concentrations encountered in effluent-influenced surface waters. Individuals exposed to water with dilute drug concentrations (1.8 micrograms liter(-1)) exhibited increased activity, reduced sociality, and higher feeding rate. As such, our results show that anxiolytic drugs in surface waters alter animal behaviors that are known to have ecological and evolutionary consequences.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Oxazepam, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Oxazepam for peak identification, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Oxazepam