Abstract

Snail's embryotoxicity test is a suitable approach for toxicity assay of traditional and emerging pollutants, environmental risk assessment, as well ⚾️ as screening and development of new molluscicides. Among the snail species, Biomphalaria spp. has been indicated as a promising model ⚾️ system for developing standardized test protocols for assessing the chemical toxicity using early developmental stages. Thus, the current study aimed ⚾️ to review the data available in the scientific literature concerning the experimental approach, type of chemicals and the response of ⚾️ multiple biomarkers (survival, hatching rate, development delays, morphological and behavior changes) in snail embryos applied in toxicity tests. Revised data ⚾️ showed that the use of Biomphalaria embryos to assess chemical toxicity began in 1962. Snail's embryotoxicity test was applied mainly ⚾️ for analyzing the toxicity and development of new molluscicides, while its use in ecotoxicological studies is emerging. Biomphalaria glabrata was ⚾️ the main species analyzed. Embryos exposed to chemicals showed bioaccumulation, mortality, hatching inhibition, development delays, and morphological malformations, which were ⚾️ classified into four categories (hydropic, shell, cephalic and unspecified malformations). Besides, research gaps and recommendations for future research are indicated. ⚾️ Overall, the results showed that the Biomphalaria embryotoxicity test (BET) is a suitable tool for toxicity and health risk assessment.