Effects Of Early Cadmium And Selenium Exposure On Zebrafish Neural Development And Behavior

Cadmium is a naturally-occurring trace metal frequently found in soil that has been linked with increased prevalence of various cancers via formation of reactive oxygen species. Selenium, a widely-prevalent metalloid, antagonizes the detrimental action of cadmium and has been demonstrated to exert a rescue effect. The present work focuses on the short- and long-term effects of exposure to ecologically-relevant cadmium concentrations on zebrafish development and behavior, and compares this to co-treatment with selenium. This study has demonstrated a decrease in overall brain size, specifically telencephalic area, in response to cadmium exposure, and has documented a sparing effect of selenium treatment. A similar effect is seen in larval body size and eye diameter. This study has also reported an effect on spinal morphology and hatching delay. Longitudinally, cadmium treatment affects survival to six months, and has an impact on adult brain metrics. The results of behavioral assay indicate an effect of larval cadmium exposure on adult learning behavior, as well as a rescue effect of selenium

Effects of Early Cadmium and Selenium Exposure on Zebrafish Neural Development and Behavior

Cadmium is a naturally-occurring trace metal frequently found in soil that has been linked with increased prevalence of various cancers via formation of reactive oxygen species. Selenium, a widely-prevalent metalloid, antagonizes the detrimental action of cadmium and has been demonstrated to exert a rescue effect. The present work focuses on the short- and long-term effects of exposure to ecologically-relevant cadmium concentrations on zebrafish development and behavior, and compares this to co-treatment with selenium. This study has demonstrated a decrease in overall brain size, specifically telencephalic area, in response to cadmium exposure, and has documented a sparing effect of selenium treatment. A similar effect is seen in larval body size and eye diameter. This study has also reported an effect on spinal morphology and hatching delay. Longitudinally, cadmium treatment affects survival to six months, and has an impact on adult brain metrics. The results of behavioral assay indicate an effect of larval cadmium exposure on adult learning behavior, as well as a rescue effect of selenium

Writing Studies Graduate Research Showcase 2020

Poster presentations from the Writing Studies department graduate research showcase. The projects were completed in conjunction with WRIT 8505 and the showcase was held digitally due to the Covid-19 pandemic