Histopathological Changes in Liver and Kidney of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) on Chlorpyrifos Exposure

Abstract

Aquatic organisms are inadvertently exposed to runoff water carrying pesticides and chemical fertilizers from agricultural land. Chlorpyrifos is one of the most commonly used organophosphate insecticides applied in agriculture for insect control. Effect of chlorpyrifos on kidney and liver in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) was studied after exposing the fish for short term ‑ 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. Healthy adult fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentration 1.56 mgL-1 (75% of 2.08 mgL-1 96h LC50). Histopathological changes in liver and kidney were examined at given time intervals after sacrificing fishes and tissue fixation followed by histological examination of Haematoxylin and Eosin (H/E) stained sections of tissues under light microscope. Fishes exposed to chlorpyrifos exhibited histomorphological alterations in kidney and liver while fishes in control were normal with no observation of any damage in these organs. Liver cells in exposed fishes showed necrosis and vacuolization together with random observation of denucleated cells and eosinophilic material in the cytoplasm. In kidney necrotic lesions were observed with presence of pyknotic nuclei and dilation of renal tubules. In this study it was observed that chlorpyrifos was highly toxic for the fish Heteropneustes fossilis and has profound adverse effect of one of the most vital organs, the liver and kidney.