Environmentally relevant concentrations of sertraline disrupts behavior and the brain and liver transcriptome of juvenile yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco): Implications for the feeding and growth axis.

Sertraline (SER) is one of the most prevalent antidepressants detected in aquatic environments, but its impact on fish behavior and growth remain poorly understood. As such, behavior and growth were assessed in yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco) following SER exposure. SER induced shoaling, reduced food consumption and growth, and increased cannibalism at environmentally relevant concentrations. To ascertain toxicity mechanisms, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and transcripts related to growth and feeding were measured. AChE activity was increased in fish exposed to 10 and 100 μg/L SER. Transcript levels of neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, growth hormone, and insulin growth factor 1 were reduced in the brain following SER exposure. RNA-seq conducted in brain and liver revealed that gene networks associated with feeding and growth (i.e. leptin expression networks in the brain and insulin signaling pathways in the liver) were altered, proposed to be associated with the decreased food intake and growth. The brain also accumulated SER, which may relate to neurobehavioral responses. Lastly, the main metabolite of SER, norsertraline, was detected in the liver, and may also relate to toxicity. This study uncovers mechanisms and key events proposed to lead to impaired behavior and growth after exposure to some antidepressants.