• • Copper exposure in larval zebrafish induces differential death and regeneration of olfactory sensory neuron populations, leading to neurobehavioral deficits (MA et al., 2018, NeuroToxicology 69:141-151). This demonstrates that even sublethal copper levels can cause functional impairment, critical for setting water quality criteria.
• • Cadmium exposure in juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) differentially alters odorant-driven behaviors and expression of olfactory receptors (WILLIAMS et al., 2016, Toxicological Sciences 154(2):267-277). This indicates that cadmium disrupts specific olfactory pathways, potentially affecting migration and predator avoidance.
• • Short-term cadmium exposure disrupts the olfactory system of zebrafish, relating altered gene expression in the olfactory organ to behavioral deficits (VOLZ et al., 2020, Aquatic Toxicology 226:105555). This provides a molecular link between contaminant exposure and behavioral outcomes, useful for biomarker development.
• • Comparative studies on cadmium, zinc, arsenic, and chromium in larval zebrafish show differential effects on olfactory-mediated neurobehavior and gene expression (HEFFERN et al., 2018, Aquatic Toxicology 201:83-90). This highlights the need for metal-specific risk assessment and the potential for using olfactory endpoints in regulatory toxicology.