Biomarkers for stress in fish embryos and larvae

The present work evaluates the toxic effects of some environmental stressors on fish eggs and larvae and describes the biomarker responses of fish from locations with varying levels of pollution. Development of the main groups of biomarkers is discussed. General trends and specific peculiarities of biomarker induction in early fish life and their association with the animal's developmental stages are demonstrated. Responses offish eggs and larvae to pollution are studied under experimental conditions and information obtained from in situ studies has also been presented. Xenobiotics accumulation, anoxia and hypoxia, increasing temperature, eutrophication and other unfavorable environmental factors including biotic and abiotic and their impact on fish embryos are described. Fluctuations in biomarker levels in fish eggs and larvae which have been impacted by climate changes are examined and possible scenarios are discussed especially for fish population size, reproduction, growth, development and biodiversity.