Effect of safe application rate (SAR) concentrations of some biocides on the gonads of the fresh water murrel, Channa punctatus (Bl.)--a biochemical study.

The effect of safe application rate (SAR) concentrations of fenitrothion 50% EC--an organo-phosphate and carbofuran 3% G--a carbamate on the gonads (ovaries/testes) of Channa punctatus was studied for 120 days (mid-April through mid-August) extending over the preparatory, prespawning, and spawning phases of annual reproductive cycle. The studies have revealed that the levels of total proteins, RNA, total lipids, and ascorbic acid decreased, while those of the cholesterol and the phospholipids increased following exposure to the two biocides. Furthermore, it was observed that in both treatments the decline in the levels of total total proteins, RNA, total lipids, and ascorbic acid was relatively more marked in the testes than in the ovaries. On the contrary, increase in the levels of cholesterol was relatively more in the ovaries, while increase in the levels of phospholipids was more in the testes in both treatments. The results suggest that the decrease/increase in the levels of the above-mentioned biochemical parameters was more in the fenitrothion treatment than in the carbofuran treatment and, therefore, may be considered relatively more toxic to this species.