Alterations in the Biochemical Parameters of the African Catfish Clarias Gariepinus [Burchell] Exposed to Sublethal Concentrations of Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Abstract

Pesticide contamination of water bodies is increasingly becoming a threat to aquatic life with its attendant public health implications. With this in mind, this study was undertaken with a view to evaluating the effect of chronic exposure to λ-cyhalothrin on some biochemical parameters (cholesterol, glycogen, glucose and protein) in the freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus. The fingerlings were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.0, 0.01 and 0.04 mg/L) of λ-cyhalothrin for 21 days in a static renewal bioassay system. The LC₅₀ value determined by probit analysis was 0.103 mg/L. The cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the treatment groups when compared with the control. The increase was both concentration and duration-dependent. The protein concentration in the λ-cyhalothrin-exposed fish was significantly lower than the control (p < 0.05) except on day 7, when the serum protein level did not differ from the group exposed to 0.01 mg/L λ-cyhalothrin. Similarly, when compared with the control, the liver glycogen and serum glucose concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing λ-cyhalothrin test concentration and duration of exposure. The observed hypercholesterolemia with concomitant hypoglycemia and hypoprotenemia are indications of stress due to λ-cyhalothrin exposure.

Permanent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20004933