Changes in the haemolymph of Fenneropenaeus indicus exposed to Malathion and endosulfan

Abstract

Malathion and Endosulfan are two widely used pesticides in agriculture and are persistent in aquatic environment. Aquatic animals inhibiting these environments are continuously exposed to these pesticides. Fenneropenaeus indicus is a major shrimp species in coastal regions of Asia and hence it is preferred for aquaculture production. In this study we examined certain changes in the hemolymph of F. indicus exposed to sublethal (25 and 50 ng/L) doses of two pesticides, Malathion and Endosulfan for 20 days. Both the pesticides significantly altered the clotting time, total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO), total protein and glucose content of plasma to various levels in the test animals. The changes in all the factors evaluated varied with the exposure time and were also dose-dependent. The clotting time, protein and glucose content of plasma increased during the study period while the phenoloxidase activity and the THC were reduced in the test animals. The study revealed that sublethal levels of Malathion and endosulfan significantly altered the immunological factors thereby reducing the health status of the animals which may result in the invasion of pathogens from the aquatic environment.