Toxicity of pyrethroid insecticides to fish

Abstract

A selected review of the biological, chemical and environmental factors that affect the acute and chronic, lethal and sublethal toxicity of pyrethroid insecticides to fish is presented. Pyrethroid insecticides are extremely toxic to fish; for example, 96—h LC50 values are in the nmol/L range. The symptoms associated with acute lethality suggest that effects on the nervous system, respiratory surfaces and renal ion regulation are associated with the mechanism of lethal action in fish. Qualitative structure—activity relationships indicate that the structural features required for good insecticidal activity and for lethality to fish are the same. Lethality also varies with biological (species, size) and environmental (temperature, sediment) factors. Some of these effects may be related to bioavailability and rates of pyrethroid biotransformation. Chronic exposure studies indicate that newly hatched larvae or early juveniles are the life stages most sensitive to pyrethroids. Exposures of fish to sublethal concentrations of pyrethroids have resulted in decreased growth and impaired swimming performance. The effects on bioenergetics and energy metabolism are variable.

Managing invasive crayfish: is there a hope?

“…The synthetic pyrethroid BETAMAX VET, followed by draining of the ponds, was used to eradicate P. leniusculus and the associated A. astaci in the Dammane area, Telemark county, Norway (Sandodden and Johnsen 2010), after the first discovery of the invader. This biocide, highly toxic to aquatic crustaceans (Haya 1989), is a cypermethrinbased pharmaceutical developed for treatment of salmon lice (Lepeophtherius salmonis) infestation of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). A double administration of BETAMAX VET was carried out with powerful pumps placed in a boat or on the shore.…”

Acute toxicity of pyrethroid-based insecticides in the Neotropical freshwater fish Brycon amazonicus

“…In fish, the reasons for the high toxicity of pyrethroids is not yet clear but the nervous system sensibility and the deficient drug detoxification metabolism are the clues (Coats, 2008). Carboxylesterases catalyze the hydrolysis of pyrethroids and fish seems to be deficient of these enzymes retarding the drug detoxification and clearance (Bradbury and Coats, 1989;Demoute, 1989;Haya, 1989). Pyrethroids are lipophilic compounds, what increases the absorption rate through the gills and the toxicant sensibility (Viran et al, 2003;Kumar et al, 2011).…”

“…Pyrethroids exhibit low toxicity to mammals and birds, however, fishes are very susceptible to them (Coats, 2008). The rate of toxicity to fishes is in a range of micrograms per liter (Jones, 1995;Maund et al, 1998;USEPA, 2008;Güner, 2009;Saravanan et al, 2009) and this occurs because the fish nervous system is deficient to metabolize such chemicals (Demounte, 1989;Haya, 1989). The biotransformation of cis and trans-cypermethrin in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is very low when compared to that observed in frog (Rana temporaria), rats (Mus musculus) and quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (Edwards et al, 1987).…”

Abnormalities in the juvenile stage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) reared at different temperatures: types, prevalence and effect on growth

“…Environmental factors, such as embryo density during incubation, stress on broodstock during vitellogenesis, the presence of contaminants in the water, excessive turbulence in larval rearing tanks, radiations, changes in salinity, a fall in the values of dissolved oxygen and light intensity, have been cited as causing anomalies in development (Haya 1989;Wiegand et al 1989;Caris and Rice 1990;Divanach et al 1997).…”