Environmental and toxicological effects of carbamate pesticides on zebrafish embryogenesis

Background: Carbamate pesticides are derivatives of carbamic acid and are widely used in agriculture to enhance crop productivity by controlling pests and weeds. However, with the development of agriculture, the increasing use of carbamate pesticides has raised concerns regarding their environmental persistence and potential toxicity to non-target organisms, including humans. Purpose of Review: This review explores the negative effects of carbamate pesticides with a particular focus on their effects on embryonic development using a zebrafish animal model which is a well-recognized model for toxicity studies. Zebrafish share genetic similarities with humans and have many comparable organs, making them a valuable model to use toxicity results and to predict potential effects in humans. Result: It has been reported that various carbamate pesticides can exhibit toxicity in different organs, as demonstrated using the zebrafish model. They induce oxidative stress and apoptosis, affecting the structure and function of various organs. Morphological defects, including shortened body length, reduced eye size, and pericardial and yolk sac edema, were observed. Moreover, the mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related genes was inhibited by carbamate pesticides, leading to impaired cardiac and vessel formation. They negatively affect neurodevelopment by reducing the expression of neurodevelopment-related genes, suggesting that the toxicity observed in target organisms can also be identified in non-target organisms. Immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity are also notable concerns because carbamate exposure diminishes immune cell function and causes liver damage. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential risks posed by carbamate pesticides during embryonic development. Therefore, it is essential to assess the toxicity of these chemicals to understand their long-term impact on human health and environmental safety.