Acute and chronic toxic effects of the carbamate pesticide Sevin on some haematological,biochemical and enzymatic parameters in the fresh water teleost fish Channa punctatus

The effects of exposure to LC₅₀ (10.5 mg/l) for 96 h and to a sublethal concentration (1.05 mg/l) of Sevin for 120 days have been observed on some haematological, biochemical and enzymatic parameters of Channa punctatus. The fish were hyperglycemic and hyperlactemic and the glycogen content of the liver and muscles decreased, but the lactic acid content of two tissues increased. The activity of hexokinase increased in the kidney, intestine, liver and muscles but decreased in the gills and brain. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase decreased in the kidney and intestine, and increased in the liver, muscles, brain and gills. The pyruvate dehydrogenase activity decreased in all the six tissues. Both the exposures produced a decrease in the succinate dehydrogenase activity of the liver. The enzyme activity decreased in the brain, gills and muscles after chronic exposure, whereas the kidney and intestine showed an elevation in enzyme activity.     

Survivality and Impaired Growth in Arsenic Treated Fingerlings of Channa punctatus,a Fresh Water Murrel

The LC₅₀-values of As³⁺-compounds for Channa punctatus are determined for a 48-h exposure to 19.4 (18.02… 21.3) mg/1 and for a 96-h exposure to 14.3 (13.06… 16.80) mg/1. At a long-time exposure to 7.0 mg/1 As³⁺, during the first seven days there does not occur any change of growth, then the growth in length and the increase in weight decreased by 6.6 and 11.7%, respectively, till the 31st day. At the same time, the RNA content of the muscle decreased by 11.5% to 966.7 μg/g fresh weight and the protein content decreased by 12.5 % to 95.39 mg/g fresh weight.     

Zinc Induced Changes in the Nucleic Acids and Protein Metabolism in the Fingerlings of a Freshwater Murrel,Channa punctatus

Fingerlings of Channa punctatus, a freshwater murrel, when subjected to a sublethal concentration of 12 mg l^?1 zinc for 20 days elicited a significantly decreased (P<0.01) RNA content and hypoproteinemia in their liver. However, an exposure for 10 days under the same condition did not produce a significant alternation (P>0.05) neither in the nucleic acids (RNA – DNA) nor in the protein content. Results are discussed in relation to the pollutional stress of this heavy metal.     

Effects of Chronic Exposure to Sublethal Doses of Two Pesticides on Alkaline and Acid Phosphatase Activities in the Intestine of a Fresh Water Teleost,Channa striatus BL. (Channidae)

The effects of chronic exposures to sublethal concentration of two pesticides Carbaryl and Endosulfan on alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in the intestine of a fresh water teleost Channa striatus have been observed by exposing the fish for a period of two to thirty days to 10 ppm and 20 ppm of Carbaryl and 0.00075 and 0.001 ppm of Endosulfan. The inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity has been dependent on the duration of exposure, concentration and the type of pesticide used. The acid phosphatase activity increased with the duration of exposure in higher concentration of Carbaryl and both the concentrations of Endosulfan. Endosulfan produced more pronounced effects than Carbaryl.     

Effects of Copper Sulphate on the Free Amino Acids of Channa punctatus (BLOCH).

The free amino acids of the liver and muscle of C. punctatus exposed to 1 ppm of copper sulphate solution up to 84 days were investigated. Few amino acids, notably cystine and tryptophan, disappeared and few new amino acids appeared. These changes in the free amino acids may be due to toxic effects of copper sulphate leading to rancidity in the fish.     

Malathion induced biochemical alterations in the liver of the fingerlings of Channa punctatus (BL.)

The effect of a sublethal concentration of malathion (95% E. C.) on the nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and protein content in the liver of fingerlings of Channa punctatus, a freshwater murrel was investigated. 10 days of exposure brought non-significant alteration (P < 0.05) neither in the nucleic acids nor in protein content. However, significant quantitative decline in the liver's RNA (P < 0.01) and protein (P < 0.001) but not in the DNA content was observed after 20 days of exposure. Possible causes for such decline have been discussed.     

Acute toxicity of cadmium to Channa punctatus (BLOCH)

Effects of acute cadmium poisoning on survival, its residual values and histopathology in certain organs of a freshwater airbreathing fish, Channa punctatus (BLOCH ) were investigated. The threshold concentration, MATC and LC₅₀ values obtained from 96 h static bioassay, revealed that Channa is more susceptible to cadmium ions at higher temperature. The atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of cadmium residues differed significantly in organs of specimens having survived and died after 96 h of exposure. The gill accumulate the highest amount of cadmium, the liver accumulated a slightly smaller amount than the gill, while the kidney accumulated the least. The histopathological lesions subjected to sublethal (5.2 mg/l Cd) and lethal (8.4 mg/l Cd) concentrations of cadmium were: detachment and rupture of lamellar epithelium, collapse of pillar cells and hypertrophy in mucus producing gland cells in the gill; vacuolization and coagulative necrosis in hepatic cells of the liver; and expansion, necrosis and accumulation of cellular debris in renal tubules of the kidney. The probable causes for death of fish due to cadmium ions have been discussed.     

Effect of a Sublethal Concentration of Zinc Sulphate on the Growth Rate of Fingerlings of Channa punctatus (Bloch), a Freshwater Murrel

Fingerlings of Channa punctatus are exposed to 12 mg/l zinc sulphate for 31 d at daily feeding. From the 19th day a significant decrease of growth (increase of weight) by 7 … 8 % as compared with the untreated control fishes was found. After exposure for 30 d the RNA- and protein-contents of the muscles are lower by 10 and 13 %, respectively.     

Tissue enzymes as biomonitors of PCP intoxication in Notopterus notopterus

In this paper, toxicity effects of pentachlorophenol have been studied using enzymes, phosphatases, transaminases and hydrogenases as indicators for toxicity. The sublethal concentrations used were 0.019, 0.0063 and 0.0038 mg/l (1/5th, 1/15th and 1/25th fractions of LC₅₀) and the experimental fishes were exposed for the periods of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Most of the significant alterations in enzymes were observed at 1/5th and 1/10th fractions except at few places in the liver where a significant alteration in the enzyme acid phosphatase occurs at 1/15th fraction. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) showed a significant increase in different tissues in all the fractions of treatment.     

Effect of Three Synthetic Pyrethroids to a Non-target Fish,Channa striatus Wirkung von drei synthetischen Pyrethroiden auf einen Nichtziel-Organismus,den Fisch Channa striatus

Exposure of Channa striatus over 24 h to 40% and 80% of the LC_50;24h of the three pyrethroids cypermethrin, permethrin, and fenvalerate did not cause any significant changes in the levels of total protein and free amino acids in the liver and muscle tissues of the fish. After 96 h exposure, the protein amino acid levels are altered significantly.     

Deleterious effects of Malathion on survivality and growth of the fingerlings of Channa punctatus (BLOCH.), a freshwater murrel

The LC₅₀ of Malathion for Channu punctatus is determined for 24… 96 h of exposure as 10.95… 3.22 mg/l. At exposure to 2.5 mg./l Malathion, growth–measured by increase in weight–is significantly reduced from the 19th day and reduced by 10 % till the 31st day. During the same period of time, the RNA and protein contents of the muscle is lowered by 10 and 15 %, respectively, as compared with the control. In addition to an acute toxic effect, in sublethal concentrations Malathion has also pronounced effects on growth and metabolism.     

Changes in the Level of Proteins,Free Amino Acids and Protease Activities of Clarias batrachus in Response to Sodium meta‐arsenite Intoxication

Increased hazard of arsenic toxicity at many provinces of India causing extensive contamination of their wetlands. To illustrate the consequences of the arsenic menace on the aquatic fauna, a nutritionally important freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) was subjected to the stress of sublethal concentration (1 mg/L; 5% of 96‐h LC₅₀ value) of sodium meta‐arsenite. The alterations induced by the arsenic salt on certain biomolecules (proteins, free amino acids (FAA), and protease activities) in five tissue components (muscle, liver, brain skin, and gills) of the fish using biochemical techniques were estimated. Significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the concentration of proteins in all the tissues (19.74–44.84% in muscles; 3.17–49.39% in liver; 10.05–36.16% in brain; 12.62–52.01% in skin and 7.34–61.69% in gills), and significant (p < 0.01) increase in FAA (6.84–269.89% in muscles; 125.89–358.03% in liver; 1.07–152.90% in brain; 29.31–401.62% in skin and 38.53–165.07% in gills), and protease activities (43.59–183.33% in muscles; 19.52–131.90% in liver; 8.85–46.72% in brain; 33.33–261.53% in skin and 25.39–50.79% in gills) of the exposed fish were observed. This increase in amino acids and enzyme activity point out toward breakdown of protein leading to their depletion.     

Are metal-induced hypersensitivities in harbor seals associated with liver function?

Environmental exposure to metals is believed to affect marine mammal health adversely including immunosuppression or acute as well as chronic inflammatory processes leading to hypersensitivities or autoimmune diseases. Metal-specific hypersensitivities were found in several pinnipeds of the North Sea. However, hypersensitivity is a complex phenomenon whose characteristics are still not completely understood; in particular, effects on health are not well established. In the present study, we compared basic hematological and biochemical parameters of seals with and without metal-specific hypersensitivities. We found altered hematological parameters and liver enzyme patterns in seals with a metal-induced hypersensitivity, including a reduction in macrophages, an increase in lymphocytes, and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase. These findings support the suggestion of a chronic influence of metal pollutants on the health of marine mammals of the North Sea.     

Biomonitoring of the Contamination of Water by a Sublethal Concentration of Pesticides — A System Analysis Approach

Heteropneustes (Saccobranchus) fossilis (Pisces; Clariidae) is exposed to the biocides Chlordane, Aldrin, Metasystox, Dichlorvos, Carbofuran and Sevin for 30 d at a concentration of the 1/15 fraction of LC_50;96h with daily exchange of the medium. At intervals of 5 d the respiration rate was determined for 1 h. In addition, after the end of tests 13 haematological parameters as well as the activities of the adenosine triphosphatases and the acetylcholinesterase were determined in the liver, the kidney and the gills. During all exposures to biocides the respiration rate decreases significantly with the test time. At all exposures the blood concentrations of glucose, sodium- and chloride-ions show a significant increase, whereas the cholesterin content and the clotting time decrease significantly. The ATPase activity is significantly reduced only by Aldrin and Chlordane. A significant reduction of the acetylcholinesterase activity occurs in each of the three investigated tissues only for Metasystox and Dichlorvos and in the liver in addition also for Chlordane, Aldrin and Carbofuran. Therefore, the respiration rate and haematological criteria permit a general stress indication, enzymatic activities constitute a specific indication of individual groups of biocides, so that a systematic analysis of these three indication groups will probably provide a specific resultant statement in a biomonitoring system due to the specific inhibition pattern.     

Cadmium content, accumulation and toxicity in dog whelks collected around the Welsh coastline

The concentration of cadmium in sexually mature Nucella lapillus was investigated around the coast of Wales. Higher concentrations of cadmium were found in whelks located in the Bristol Channel compared with Cardigan Bay Nucella. Accumulation and toxicity of cadmium were investigated at 50–600 μg Cd l⁻¹ over a period of 21 days. At the lower concentrations of 50–100 μg Cd l⁻¹ all Nucella survived the 21 days of experimentation. The rate of cadmium uptake after exposure to cadmium was inconsistent and not related to the degree of site contamination. At all sites the concentration of cadmium in Nucella, after treatment with 50–600 μg Cd l⁻¹ for 21 days, was significantly different from controls, but after 7 days it varied with the site and cadmium concentration. Only samples collected at Fishguard, Dale, and Swansea survived 21 days at 600 μg Cd l⁻¹. Tissue cadmium concentrations did not significantly effect the whole body concentration of zinc.     

Deleterious Effects of Arsenic on the Nucleic Acids and Protein Metabolism in the Liver of Heteropneustes fossilis (BL.) — a Freshwater Teleost

The present paper deals with the toxic effects if any of the two concentrations of Arsenic(III)-oxide on the nucleic acids and protein metabolism in the liver of H. fossilis after exposure for 20 and 30 days. Causes for significant alterations have been discussed.     

Impairments Induced by Sublethal Doses of Sevin and Thiodan on the Brain of a Freshwater Teleost Channa striatus BL. (Channidae)

Prolonged exposure to two pesticides Sevin and Thiodan for 30 days produced impairments in the brain of Channa striatus on the following ways:

• – Separation and damage to meninges of cerebral hemispheres
• – severe damage to all the five layers of the optic textum
• – severe damage to torus longitudinalis
• – partial damage to the molecular and grannular layers of the corpus cerebelli.
• – no effect on diencephalon and myelencephalon.

     

Action Sites of Cypermethrin,a Synthetic Pyrethroid in the Snail Lymnaea acuminata

24 h of in vivo exposure to 40 and 80 = LC50 of the synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin significantly reduced the acetylcholinesterase, cytochrome oxidase and lactic dehydrogenase activity in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata. Succinic dehydrogenase activity increased significantly after the same treatment. Fifteen minutes in vitro exposure to different doses of cypermethrin also significantly inhibited cytochrome oxidase and lactic dehydrogenase activity. However, acetylcholinesterase and succinic dehydrogenase activities remain unaltered. It is concluded that the cypermethrin on the one hand causes repititive discharges at the nerve terminal and on the other hand blocks the electron transport chain.     

Bioaccumulation of Sediment-Bound Heavy Metals in Grey Mullet, Liza macrolepis

Two groups of grey mullet, Liza macrolepis, a filter and a detritus-mud feeder, were chosen as the subjects of a sediment exposure experiment for evaluating the bioaccumulation of toxic metals associated with the Kaohsiung-harbour sedimental contamination. After 180 days of sediment exposure, the sediment treated group showed significantly elevated Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cd concentrations in whole fish at 3-, 1.5-, 3-, 2-, and 2-times, respectively, higher than the control group. The Ni concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The metal levels (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cd) in various parts of the fish showed that all metals in muscle and gill, Cu in liver, and Zn in intestine and liver of the sediment-treated group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in whole fish ranked as Cd > Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > Fe. The results of significant bioaccumulation suggest that L. macrolepis can be used as a good bio-indicator of metal pollution in coastal area.     

Studies on the Acute Toxicity of Zinc to a Freshwater Teleost: Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Static bioassay tests were carried out on Channa punctatus Bloch in the laboratory after renewal of concentrations every 24 h. The LC₅₀ values and 95 per cent confidence limits were 45.21 (39.62 … 51.11) ppm at 12 h and 29.8 (27.49 … 31.95) ppm of Zn at 96 h of exposure. The actual dissolution values of zinc were also determined in test solutions using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Behavioural changes were the higher rate of opercular movements, surfacing, loss of equilibrium and haemorrhage near mouth and caudal fin. The LT₅₀ values indicate that survival was increased with decreasing Zn concentration. The histopathological changes observed due to Zn toxicity in the gills have been discussed in relation to fish mortality.