Malathion induced changes in the serum proteins and hematological parameters of an Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Fish Immune Response as Biomarkers

“…Studies by these same investigators (Plumb & Areechon, 1990b) also demonstrated that acute exposure of channel catfish to 4.5 mg malathion/L significantly decreased (compared to controls) circulating white blood cell (WBC) numbers in fish examined 48, 72, and 96 h post-exposure. These hematological findings were supported by the findings of Dutta et al (1992) which demonstrated that waterborne exposure of Indian catfish {Heteropneustes fossilis) to 1.2 mg malathion/L (1/10 the 96-h LD50 value) produced leukopenia in fish exposed for 72 h; in contrast, exposure to the same malathion concentration for only 24 h increased circulating WBC numbers. Elevated total and differential WBC counts have also been observed in Indian catfish exposed chronically (i.e., 40 d) to a concentration of malathion at approximately half that used in the previous study (i.e., 0.5 mg malathion/L) (Mishra & Srivastava, 1983).…”

Mammalian Immunoassays for Predicting the Toxicity of Malathion in a Laboratory Fish Model

“…Studies by these same investigators (Plumb & Areechon, 1990b) also demonstrated that acute exposure of channel catfish to 4.5 mg malathion/L significantly decreased (compared to controls) circulating white blood cell (WBC) numbers in fish examined 48, 72, and 96 h post-exposure. These hematological findings were supported by the findings of Dutta et al (1992) which demonstrated that waterborne exposure of Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) to 1.2 mg malathion/L (1/10 the 96-h LD50 value) produced leukopenia in fish exposed for 72 h; in contrast, exposure to the same malathion concentration for only 24 h increased circulating WBC numbers. Elevated total and differential WBC counts have also been observed in Indian catfish exposed chronically (i.e., 40 d) to a concentration of malathion at approximately half that used in the previous study (i.e., 0.5 mg malathion/L) (Mishra & Srivastava,1 983).…”

Haematological parameters as bioindicators of insecticide exposure in teleosts

“…Exposure to different kinds of insecticides causes hyperplasia, disintegration of the hepatic mass, cytoplasmic vacuolization and focal coagulative necrosis in the liver of teleosts (Gill et al 1988;Oruc and Uner 1998;Tilak et al 2001;Sakthival and Gaikwad 2002;Jee et al 2005;Velisek et al 2009) which manifest in the destruction of iron reserves leading to anaemia. Dutta et al (1992) noticed a significant decline in serum protein in malathion-treated H. fossilis. Svobodova et al (2003) also noticed similar results in deltamethrin-treated C. carpio and correlated these findings due to disruption of haemopoiesis and proteosynthesis.…”

“…Holland et al (1997) noted that infection and/or damage of haemopoietic tissues (kidney and spleen) might be responsible for rise in neutrophils and eosinophils in the exposed fish. Tyagi et al (1989) and Kalair et al (1993) stated that increase in the number of leucocytes in treated fish reflects a general state of toxaemia exhibiting impairment of the defence mechanism, which is manifested into leucocytosis to cope with such a situation (Dutta et al 1992;Ramesh and Saravanan 2008). Lymphocytes are numerically predominant white blood cells in fish (Sharma and Gupta 1982;Storozhuk and Guleva 1983;Swarnlata 1995;Kumar et al 1999).…”

“…Soivio and Oikari (1976) and Adedeji et al (2009) opined that a decrease in RBC number in the test fish could be ascribed to reduction in erythrocyte lifespan and/or a suppressive effect of the active substance of the insecticide on the erythropoietic tissues, resulting in the failure of erythrocyte production. Narain and Srivastava (1979) and Dutta et al (1992) suggested that decline in RBC count in biocide-exposed H. fossilis might be due to microcytic or normocytic anaemia (anaemia either due to decrease in RBC size or proportionate decrease in HB content, Hct, MCV and TEC).…”