Investigation of genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and cytotoxicity in erythrocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after fluoxetine exposure

Fluoxetine (FLX) is an antidepressant that is increasingly being detected in aquatic environments. However, this contaminated FLX can affect aquatic organisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic potential of FLX on erythrocytes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after acute exposure. Fish were exposed to different concentrations of FLX (10, 100 and 1000 µg/L) for 96 h. Then, the condition factor (K value) was used to assess the general fish condition. The genotoxicity was investigated using a comet assay, and the mutagenicity was examined using micronucleus (MN) and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) assays. In addition, the cytotoxicity was analyzed by erythrocyte morphometry and erythrocyte maturity index (EMI). The results showed that FLX did not affect the fish’s health. Nevertheless, 100 and 1000 µg/L FLX significantly increased DNA damage. Furthermore, a higher concentration of FLX presented a significantly increased frequency of MNs and ENAs, also leading to changes in some erythrocyte morphometric indices and significantly decreased mature erythrocytes. In conclusion, our results indicate that FLX induces genotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic effects in erythrocytes of O. niloticus.