Effect of ekalux toxicity on selected physiological parameters in anabas testudineus

Abstract

Impact of short-term exposure of sub lethal concentration of organophosphate pesticides Ekalux on physiology of sub adults of Anabas testudineus in the Kol paddy fields of Central Kerala was studied. Results of the present study indicated that even short-term, exposure to Ekalux is detrimental to A. testudineus. Among the parameters that showed significant changes were heamatological parameters such as Hb, PCV, RBC count, and ESR. Cell morphology shifted from a normal elliptical shape after 24 hr to crenated or fringed and shrinked appearance at 15th day of exposure. It was also seen that protein and amino acid concentration are clear indicators of immediate stress. Histopathological studies of liver showed hypertrophied hepatocytes with reduced number of normal cells after 15 days of exposure. The number of haematopoietic tissue was found to have declined in the kidney also in addition to increased number of melano-macrophage centres (MMC). However, once these fishes were reared in clear water, devoid of any pesticide for six months, values for Hb, PCV, protein, amino acid and liver and renal tissues showed signs of revival. The present study depicts that severity of Ekalux toxicity to sub adults of Anabas testudineus is both dose and time dependant. © 2013, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.