Physiological and biochemical responses of Labeo rohita to neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin, and their mixture

What is it about?

Neonicotinoids, widely used insecticides, pose severe environmental risks due to their persis- tence in soil and water, adversely afecting non-tar- get organisms and ecosystem integrity. The present study examined the 56  days efects of imidacloprid (66.6  mg/l), clothianidin (30  mg/l), and their com- bination (33.3  mg/l and 15  mg/l) on Labeo rohita, using one-third of the LC50 sub-lethal concentra- tions. Survival, weight gain, and the hepatosomatic index decreased insignifcantly in the IMI group and signifcantly in the CLO and Mix groups. Haemato- logical indicators, including erythrocyte counts, hae- moglobin, and haematocrit values, were also signif- cantly reduced. Blood glucose and serum creatinine levels increased, while serum albumin, globulin, and plasma total proteins decreased. White blood cell counts elevated, while immunoglobulin (IgM), respir- atory burst, and lysozyme activities were signifcantlyinhibited. Liver, brain and muscle lactate and malate dehydrogenases were elevated, whereas succinate and glutamate dehydrogenases were decreased. Liver aspartate aminotransferase activity was substantially higher than that of brain and muscle, which had con- siderably higher levels of alanine aminotransferase in muscle than in the brain and liver. Additionally, muscle alkaline phosphatase activity was signifcantly higher than in the liver and brain, whereas liver acid phosphatase showed a greater elevation than in the muscle and brain. The physiological, haematological, and biochemical indices peaked on day 28 and slight recovery was observed on day 56 (IMI>CLO>Mix).

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The study highlights that the mixture of insecticides poses greater hazards compared to a single active compound, and the indiscriminate use of these insec- ticides jeopardizes non-target organisms, ecosystems, and public health.