| Abstract: | Specimens of either sex of the freshwater catfish Mystus vittatus were exposed to an acute toxic dose of an agro-chemical NPK, i.e. 550 ppm during the spawning phase of their annual reproductive cycle. The effects on total lipid and its various fractions, viz. phospholipids and cholesterol, were studied in the testes and ovary. The total lipid content of the gonads of unstressed fish showed lowest values during the spawning phase when compared to other phases, the content remained higher in the ovary than in the testes. In fish subjected to NPK-stress during the spawning period, the fall in total lipid content of the gonads was found to be much greater than that in the controls. The phospholipids content of the gonads of unstressed fish showed highest values during the spawning phase when compared to other phases; the content remained higher in the ovary than in the testes. In fish subjected to NPK-stress during the spawning phase the rise in the gonads was found to be higher than that in the control. The cholesterol content of the gonads of unstressed fish showed highest values during the spawning phase when compared to other phases; the content remained higher in the ovary than in the testes. In fish subjected to NPK-stress during the spawning period the rise in the cholesterol content of the gonads was not found to be as high as that in the controls. Agro-chemical NPK seemed to effect the total lipid and cholesterol content adversely during the spawning phase, affecting the vitellogenic process without affecting the biosynthesis of phospholipids as such, which on the contrary increases. The decrease of lipid and cholesterol mobilization from liver to gonads seemed to be restricted as a result of NPK action. |
