Acute and chronic effects of endosulfan on the haemato-immunological and histopathological responses of a threatened freshwater fish, spotted murrel, Channa punctatus

Abstract

Two experiments, one short-term and one long-term, were conducted to elucidate the acute and chronic effects, respectively, of endosulfan exposure on the haemato-immunological and histopathological responses of Channa puncatatus. In the short-term study, fish were exposed to sublethal endosulfan (8.1 μg l(-1)) for 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. In the long-term study, fish were fed with normal diet and simultaneously either exposed to endosulfan (1.2 μg l(-1)) for 90 days or not. Results showed that the ascorbic acid levels in both the liver and the muscle decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by acute and chronic endosulfan exposure. The haemoglobin (Hb) level reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by 15.5% within 12 h of acute endosulfan exposure, further decreased by 25.8% after 24 h of exposure, however, thereafter the values increased and at the end of 72 h returned to normal levels. Almost similar trend was observed for the erythrocyte (RBC) count. The WBC count and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) value showed a general increasing trend with increase in the duration of acute endosulfan exposure. The chronic exposure of C. punctatus to endosulfan significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the Hb level, RBC and WBC counts, NBT reduction value and the plasma parameters such as plasma protein, albumin (A) and globulin (G) compared with that of the control (except for A/G ratio). Endosulfan exposure also severely altered the liver histological structure. Overall results indicated that both short-term acute and long-term chronic endosulfan exposure had a significant impact on the haemato-immunological parameters and tissue histopathology of C. punctatus.

Histological and Histometric Evaluation of the Liver in Astyanax Bimaculatus (Teleostei: Characidae), Exposed to Different Concentrations of an Organochlorine Insecticide

“…Change in the diameters of the nuclei of hepatocytes can be considered a response to a stressor, and is indicative of activation of liver function as a result of increased metabolic activity against adverse conditions (Langiano Vdo and Martinez, ; Sarma et al, ; Benze et al, ). On the other hand, a decrease in the size of the nuclei can be related to the possible multiplication of hepatocytes during the replacement of damaged cells (Braunbeck et al, ; Gul et al, ).…”

“…The hypertrophy of hepatocytes in our experiments without acclimation/without food and with acclimation/without food can also be associated with contaminants (Arnold et al, ). Furthermore, other studies report that cell change may be due to structural changes related to hepatocyte cell function (Oliveira Ribeiro et al, ; Nowak and Kingsford, ), physiological conditions related to reproduction (Wester, ; Wolf et al, ), and the increased metabolic activity due to pollution (Takashima and Hibiya, ; Nowak and Kingsford, ; Sarma et al, ). In the present study, the observed changes in cell diameters show that there were physiological effects on the adaptive response of cells to the new environment in which the fish were exposed to Thiodan ® , as shown by the impact on liver function in exposed females compared to the control groups.…”

“…Meseguer et al () observed abundant free macrophages in the liver parenchyma, suggesting that they move freely within the parenchyma, forming macrophage aggregates when there is an increase in phagocytic activity such as an immune response to damage in individuals exposed to contaminants. Moreover, an increase in the number of granulocytes can be related to the occurrence of necrosis (Rabitto et al, ; Sarma et al, ), besides increasing oxidative activity in phagocytic cells in fish (Sarma et al, ). In our study, necrosis in the liver was not observed among the fish subjected to Thiodan ® , indicating that hepatic structures remained compact and homogeneous, contrary to what has been observed in Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to bleached kraft pulp mill effluent (Pacheco and Santos, ).…”

Ancient feeding ecology inferred from stable isotopic evidence from fossil horses in South America over the past 3 Ma

“…Isotopic analyses can reveal information about resource use and resource partitioning among species and is also able to determine diet and habitat use [15,17]. Here, we will address: (1) whether stable isotope values permit identification of resource use and partitioning among horse species and (2) if resource use and partitioning are determined, do the results support the ecology predicted by morphology or body size?…”

Endosulfan induced early pathological changes in vital organs of rat: A biochemical approach

“…In a recent study with fresh water fish, spotted murrel, channa punctatus, endosulfan produced alteration in liver histology with a fall in ascorbic acid levels. [25] Increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity with a concurrent rise in lipid peroxidation level is an indicator of cell membrane leakage and dissociation of intercellular connections due to the oxidative stress on exposure to endosulfan. Similar results have been reported earlier with insecticide aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan in culture cells with fractions of their lethal dose.…”