Sublethal effects of propiconazole on the metabolism of lambari Deuterodon iguape (Eigenmann 1907), a native species from Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the sublethal effects of propiconazole on Deuterodon iguape a native sh common in Brazil, which has potential for aquaculture and use as a bioindicator. The hypothesis was to test whether D. iguape has a metabolism similar to Danio rerio so that its use in bioassays may be validated. Lethal concentration (LC50) and metabolic rates were studied in sh exposed to propiconazole. There was an increase and decrease in the metabolic rate at 0.01 and 0.1 µg L -1 , with a statistical difference from the control ratio for the two species. The same trend towards ammonia excretion was observed, initially increasing to a concentration of 0.01 µg L -1 and then decreasing as the concentration of propiconazole was increased. The averages of speci c ammonia excretion in all concentrations were signi cantly different compared to the control. It was concluded that exposure to propiconazole increased the metabolic rates of D. Iguape and D. rerio, up to 0.05 µg L -1 , and decreased the rates when the concentration was doubled (0.1 µg L -1 ); causing serious problems in sh metabolism. D. iguape proved to be a good and useful bioindicator for ichthyologists or ecologists in studies of moderate pesticide contamination in freshwater aquatic environments, as its metabolic response was similar to D. rerio.