Diazinon toxicity: effect on protein and nucleic acid metabolism in the liver of zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Cyprinidae).

Four-month old adult siblings of zebrafish were exposed to four concentrations of diazinon for up to 168 h. DNA, RNA, protein and total free amino acid content were monitored in the liver. The DNA, RNA and protein contents were significantly reduced, whereas the amino acid content was significantly enhanced. All these changes showed dose- as well as time-dependent response.