Impact of the novel chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate, F-53B, on gill structure and reproductive toxicity in zebrafish.

• Adult zebrafish are more sensitive to F-53B than embryos, with a lower 96 h LC50. • F-53B exposure impairs the gill structure of zebrafish. • F-53B exposure leads to an increase in erythrocyte numbers in zebrafish. • F-53B decreases egg production and increases the GSI in zebrafish. • F-53B disrupts steroidogenic gene expression and sex hormone production in zebrafish. 6:2 Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate, commonly known as F-53B, is widely used as a mist suppressant in various industries and is frequently detected in the environment. Despite its prevalent presence, the adverse effects of F-53B are not well understood and require future investigation. This study utilized zebrafish embryos and adults to examine the toxic effects of F-53B. Our findings revealed that F-53B impaired gill structure and increased erythrocyte numbers in adult zebrafish. Notably, F-53B demonstrated a higher sensitivity for inducing mortality (LC 50 at 96 h) in adult zebrafish compared to embryos. Additionally, F-53B disrupted the expression of critical steroidogenic genes and hindered sex hormone production, which negatively affecting egg production. In conclusion, this study underscores the detrimental impact of F-53B on gill structure and reproductive toxicity in zebrafish, providing valuable insights into its overall toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]