Abstract
Paroxetine (PRX) is a common antidepressant, also frequently used by pregnant women to treat depression and anxiety associated with pregnancy; thus, we should increase warnings about its intake. The increased presence of paroxetine in the environment raises concerns about unintended exposure to it, with consequences for embryonic development. However, the effect of PRX on early embryonic development, particularly on the embryonic brain, is still poorly studied, so this study aimed to investigate its toxicological profile on embryonated eggs of Danio rerio. Embryos of D. rerio were exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg/L of PRX using the ZFET test. The results showed that exposure to PRX does not interfere with embryonic development but causes adverse effects in larvae, including heartbeats and an inflammatory state, with production of ROS and apoptotic cells on their head. Finally, the immunofluorescence assay for the biomarker acetylcholinesterase showed a decrease in its activity in exposed groups. Therefore, paroxetine is able to reach the nervous system during embryonic development with negative consequences.