Toxicological Impact of Pentachlorophenol on the Hepatic and Reproductive Activity of the Stinging Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

Abstract

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is an organochlorine compound used widely as a pesticide,disinfectant, and biocide. Its LC50 was determined, which is 400 µg L-1in a bioassaysystem, and toxicity was evaluated in female Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to 1/25th(16 µg L-1) and 1/10th (40 µg L-1) LC50 concentrations for 28 days in previtellogenic andlate vitellogenic phases. Behavioural, metabolic and reproductive parameters wereevaluated. The exposed fish were put to high stress judging from the significantincrease in plasma cortisol and erratic behaviours. The body mass of the liver and ovarydecreased significantly. Various histopathological anomalies were noticed in the liverand ovary and were attributed to altered steroid biosynthesis and metabolism judgingfrom increased estradiol-17β and testosterone levels in plasma and their decreasedlevels in the ovary and liver. The results show that the toxicant can act at differentlevels to produce behavioural, physiological and pathological changes affectingmetabolism and reproduction.