Abstract

Biomagnifications of aqueous bodies as a result of discharged herbicides from agricultural and industrial sources is counted among serious health hazards for the water inhabiting organisms. In due fascination in this context scientific community is eager to know the related toxic reactions in aquatic biota especially fish. In the present study, an attempt has been made to examine the sub-lethal and lethal toxic effects of Atrazine, an organophosphate herbicide, on biochemical parameters viz, glucose, protein and cholesterol in Channa punctatus, a commonly known fish in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-India.  A set of twelve fishes of this class were exposed to 0, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 mg/L concentration of Atrazine. The lethal concentration (LC50) value of Atrazine was 40 mg/L for 96 hours of exposure. C. punctatus were exposed to three sub lethal concentrations of Atrazine (5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 15 mg/L) for 15 and 30 days respectively. The serum protein and cholesterol level was observed to be declined, while serum glucose level was detected to be inclined after Atrazine treatment. From the study, it has been established that the increasing level of glucose and decline in other biochemical parameters are apparently indicators of fish’s response to the stress caused by the pollutant (target herbicide).

Keywords

Serum protein, Serum cholesterol, Serum glucose, Channa punctatus, Atrazine.  

Received on 23/01/2018, Accepted on 15/02/2018, Published on 20/02/2018