Our waterways contain many different pollutants, some of which can induce persistent dysfunctions. However, many of the changes induced during the reproductive phase are not well mapped in invertebrates.

To address this, Carrillo et al. investigated the effects in Daphnia magna upon exposure to SSRI’s fluoxetine and sertraline, and the antifouling compound tributyltin at levels that were environmentally relevant to surface waters during three embryonic stages. They combined RNAseq analysis with phenotypical measures, including respirometry measurements using Loligo Systems high throughput microplate respirometry system.

The variance induced by exposure to the chemicals were primarily grouped by the embryonic phase, rather than the tested chemicals. Showing that embryonic exposure has varied and long-term effects on fully developed juveniles.

The study demonstrates how combining omics data with phenotypic endpoints links molecular signalling events to organism‑level outcomes.

The paper titled Post-embryonic consequences of embryonic exposure: Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicity Induced by selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and tributyltin in Daphnia magna is published in Environmental Pollution and can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128203

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