HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE TESTIS OF FISH CYPRINION WATSONI, EXPOSED TO ENDOSULFAN

Abstract

Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide. The current study is aimed at assessing whether endosulfan had any potential to cause negative effects on reproductive and developmental parameters of male fresh water Cyprinid fish, Cyprinion watsoni. The fish was exposed to .75 ppb and Ippb endosulfan on alternate day for 30 days during early spawning season (March). The body length and body weight of .75ppb treated group increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to control. The body weight of 1 ppb group increased non significantly (p>O.OS) while the body length increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to control. The condition factor (K) and GSI of endosulfan treated (.7 Sppb and 1 ppb) groups showed non significant (p>O.OS) difference compared to control. Testicular weight, length and breadth of (both right and left testis) fish treated with .7Sppb endosulfan increased significantly (p<O.OS) compared to control. A non significant (p>0.05) increased is also observed in testicular weight and breadth (both right and left) of lppb group compared to control. 1 ppb endosulfan treatment showed significant (p<O.OS) increase in length of left testis whereas non significant (p>O.05) increase in length of right testis was observed compared to control. A significant (p<O.OS) decrease in the mean diameter of spermatogonia was observed in lppb group compared to control. While .75ppb endosulfan treatment showed non significant (p>O.OS) difference. The mean diameter of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and nuclei of spermatogonia showed non significant (p>0.05) difference after treatment with endosulfan (lppb and .75ppb) compared to control. Histomorphological studies showed that endosulfan treatment caused various changes i.e. lobules were loosely arranged, spermatogonia had irregular nuclear and cell membrane. spermatocytes and spermatids showed clumping and sperm count was reduced. The result of this study indicates that Cyprinion watsoni exposed to endosulfan may show reproductive impairment.