Sublethal Exposure and Toxicity Effect of Propanil on Hematology and Serum Biochemistry in Oreochromis niloticus in a Static Bioassay

Abstract

Herbicide Propanil is a toxicant that can adversely affect the health of fish. The present studywas conducted to ascertain the toxicity effect of Propanil on hematology and serumbiochemistry in Oreochromis niloticus juvenile. Fish specimens were exposed to sub-lethalconcentrations (0.0, 0.22, 0.44 and 0.87 mg/L) of Propanil derived from the 96hour Lethalconcentration for eight weeks. Fish specimens were sampled for hematological and biochemicalanalysis at 2, 6 and 8 week’s duration exposure. Significant changes and dose dependentdecreases in red blood cell, pack cell volume, hemoglobin values were observed in Propanilexposed fish compared to the control. Progressive increase in white blood cell count andleukocyte differentials (neutrophils and lymphocytes) were found in Propanil exposed fishcompared to the control. Significant increases in biochemical parameters (glucose, protein,triglycerides, glutamic oxalo-acetic transminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase) wereobserved in Propanil exposed fish groups compared to the control. However, cholesterol levelsdecreased significantly except for 8th week Propanil duration exposure. Findings of the presentstudy revealed that Propanil adversely affected fish health.