Deltamethrin induced changes in Endocrine glands & Ionic balance in Heteropneustes fossilis

Deltamethrin, is a synthetic pyrethroid contaminating in aquatic ecosystems as a potential toxic pollutant, is investigated in the present study. Deltamethrin present in the ambient medium being lipophilic in nature comes in direct contact with gills and ruptures the chloride cells membrane through which insecticide enters blood and reaches the target tissues. The impact of exposure of the freshwater fish Heteropneustes fossilis to two sub lethal concentrations (0.07 mg/L and 0.14 mg/L) of deltamethrin for 30 days on the physiological activities of endocrine glands i.e., Ultimobranchial gland, Corpuscles of Stannius, Prolactin cells, Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ATPase and inorganic ions Na+, K+ , Caz+ and Mg2+ in brain, kidney, gills, muscle and intestine was assessed. Ultimobranchial endocrine gland is one of the small glands in the pharynx that develop behind the fifth pair of gill pouches in the vertebrate embryo. Ultimobranchial gland produces the hormone calcitonin which is responsible for ionic balance in fish. Exposure to deltamethrin adversely affected all the endocrine glands and activity of Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ATPase and Mg2+ATPase. However, inhibition was greater with the higher concentration (0.14 mg/L). The Endocrine glands i.e. Ultimobranchial gland, Corpuscles of Stannius and Prolactin cells are responsible for regulation of calcium and ionic balance. And these were examined by compound and electron microscopy after exposed to the lower conc. (0.07 mg/l) and higher conc. (0.14 mg/l) of Deltamethrin. The Ultimobranchial gland exhibited mild histological changes at 0.07 mg/l of deltamethrin.

Author(s): Suresh Kumar

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