Triazophos Toxicity Causes Organ Damage and Recovery in a Common Fish Species

Jenn Hoskins
29th June, 2024

Triazophos Toxicity Causes Organ Damage and Recovery in a Common Fish Species

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Loyola College examined the effects of the pesticide triazophos on the fish species Heteropneustes fossilis
  • Exposure to triazophos caused significant tissue damage in the fish's gills, liver, intestines, kidneys, brain, and muscles
  • Partial recovery of tissue structure was observed after transferring the fish to clean water, but some damage remained
Agricultural pesticides have long been known to have toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems, with both acute and chronic impacts on fish populations. A recent study conducted by Loyola College focused on the broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide triazophos and its effects on Heteropneustes fossilis, a fish species of significant economic and therapeutic value[1]. This study aimed to investigate the histological changes in various tissues of the fish after exposure to different levels of triazophos toxicity and to observe the potential for recovery after returning the fish to clean water. Triazophos is widely used to protect agricultural crops from insect pests, but its persistence in the environment poses a hazard to aquatic life. In this study, H. fossilis were exposed to triazophos at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 parts per million (ppm) for 10 days. After this exposure period, the fish were sacrificed to examine the histological changes in their gills, liver, intestines, kidneys, brain, and muscle tissues. Additionally, a recovery test was conducted where the exposed fish were transferred to clean tap water for another 10 days before being sacrificed and analyzed. The findings of this study revealed significant histological changes in the tissues of the exposed fish. The gills showed signs of hyperplasia (increased cell production), lamellar fusion, and necrosis (cell death). The liver exhibited vacuolation (formation of vacuoles within cells), necrosis, and congestion of blood vessels. Intestinal tissues displayed villi fusion and sloughing of epithelial cells. The kidneys showed glomerular shrinkage and tubular degeneration, while the brain and muscle tissues also exhibited signs of damage. These findings are consistent with previous research on the effects of organophosphate insecticides on fish. For example, a study on Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles exposed to the organophosphate fenitrothion found significant decreases in swimming velocity and inhibition of key enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholinesterases (ChE)[2]. Similarly, another study on Clarias batrachus exposed to carbofuran, another organophosphate insecticide, reported alterations in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as enzyme activity in liver and muscle tissues[3]. These studies highlight the broader impacts of organophosphates on fish physiology and behavior. Furthermore, the recovery test in the Loyola College study showed partial but not complete recovery in the histological structure of the tissues after the fish were transferred to clean water for 10 days. This suggests that while some damage may be reversible, prolonged exposure to triazophos can cause lasting harm to fish tissues. The implications of these findings are significant for understanding the ecotoxicological risks of triazophos in aquatic environments. The study underscores the need for stringent regulations on the use of such pesticides to protect aquatic life. Moreover, it highlights the importance of monitoring and mitigating pesticide residues in water bodies to ensure the health and survival of economically and therapeutically valuable fish species. In conclusion, the study by Loyola College provides valuable insights into the histological effects of triazophos on H. fossilis and underscores the broader ecological risks posed by organophosphate insecticides. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on the harmful effects of pesticides on aquatic life and emphasize the need for effective regulatory measures to mitigate these risks.

HealthBiochemAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Triazophos toxicity induced histological abnormalities in Heteropneustes fossilis Bloch 1794 (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae) organs and assessment of recovery response

Published 28th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-024-00373-x

Related Studies

2) Linking behavioural alterations with biomarkers responses in the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax L. exposed to the organophosphate pesticide fenitrothion.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-010-0523-y

3) Carbofuran insecticide induced biochemical alterations in liver and muscle tissues of the fish Clarias batrachus (linn) and recovery response.

Journal: Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Issue: Vol 66, Issue 1, Jan 2004


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