Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the acute toxicity of acetylsalicylic acid to embryonic and juvenile stages of aquarium fish - zebrafish (Danio rerio), oxidative stress parameters and detoxifying enzyme.
Methods: Tests were performed according to OECD No. 203 (Fish, acute toxicity test) and OECD No. 212 (Fish, short-term toxicity test on embryo and sac-fry stages) methodology.
Results: The results showed the mean acetylsalicylic acid LC50 value to be 567.7 mg/L in juvenile zebrafish. The acute toxicity of acetylsalicylic acid for zebrafish embryos was 274.6 mg/L. Statistically significantly higher activity of GST was found in concentrations 340, 380 and 420 mg/L of acetylsalicylic acid. TBARS, GPx and GST didn't show statistically significant activity in tested concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid.
Conclusions: The results revealed a statistically significantly higher degree of sensitivity in the embryonic stages of zebrafish compared to its juveniles. Acetylsalicylic acid did not cause statistically significantly higher antioxidative defence in zebrafish.