The Effect of Methylparaben on Development and Fecundity of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in many industrial products such as foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Recent studies have revealed that these chemicals have endocrine disrupting properties. Drosophila melanogaster is one of the suitable model organisms used to test the toxic effect of various chemicals in vivo. In this study, the effects of methylparaben (MP) (50 mM, 100 mM, and 200 mM), one of the most commonly used parabens, on the developmental parameters and fecundity of D. melanogaster were examined. No significant difference was observed in the viability rates from larva to pupa and from pupa to adult. However, experimented MP concentrations caused a delay in larva to pupa and pupa to adult developmental times (p<0.05). While MP did not cause a significant change in mean offspring number, it significantly decreased fecundity at all doses (p<0.05).