Effects of two pesticides on testicular 32P uptake, gonadotrophic potency, lipid and cholesterol content of testis, liver and blood serum during spawning phase in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

In Heteropneustes fossilis testicular 32P uptake, gonadotrophin level, lipid and cholesterol contents of testis, liver and blood serum were estimated after exposing the fish to Cythion and Hexadrin at sublethal (SL) and safe concentration (SC). Four weeks of exposure to these pesticides at above concentrations during spawning phase of annual reproductive cycle, brought down effectively the testicular 32P uptake and gonadotrophic potency of the pituitary gland and blood serum. Treatment with pesticides augmented testicular lipid between 200 to 350% of control values. Liver lipid also exhibited but insignificant increase, cholesterol content of testis, liver and blood serum showed very spectacular rise in its level when compared to untreated controls. Both pesticides seem to act alike and obviously suppress gonadotrophin secretion and testicular 32P uptake. Increase in testicular and serum cholesterol is suggestive of its decreased utilization probably for steroidogenesis either due to a direct effect of pesticides or indirect on resulting from reduced output of gonadotrophin during spawning phase when in normal case both these activities were on their peaks.