Co-Exposure to Imazalil and Tebuconazole Exacerbates Potential Risks to the Environment: Regulation of Reproductive and Metabolic Homeostasis by Targeting Aromatase

Most previous studies have focused on the environmental risks of individual pesticide exposure, leaving a gap in research concerning combined exposures. Therefore, we conducted in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies to uncover the environmental risks posed by the frequently concurrent application of two pesticides: imazalil (IMA) and tebuconazole (TEB). In vivo, zebrafish exposure to IMA and TEB caused gonadal damage, with a decrease in testosterone in males and 17β-estradiol in females. The damage was exacerbated by coexposure to both pesticides. Further investigation revealed that the expression of estrogen receptors (esr1, esr2a, esr2b) and CYP19a1b was downregulated, indicating a disruption of the degree of nuclear receptor activation. In vitro experiments with KGN cells confirmed disruption of hormone secretion and downregulation of CYP19A1 (aromatase), ESR1, and StAR. In silico docking revealed a strong binding affinity between IMA, TEB, and aromatase. In conclusion, our work demonstrates that IMA and TEB induce reproductive injury and disrupt metabolic homeostasis in zebrafish by targeting aromatase, highlighting a synergistic effect between them. These results offer important insights into how combined pesticide exposures may interact synergistically to disrupt reproductive function in zebrafish.