Sublethal Effects of Monocrotophos on Histological Architecture of Liver and Kidney of a Freshwater Fish, Anabas testudineus

Histological changes appear as a medium term response to sublethal stressors and histology provides arapid method to detect the effects of irritants, especially chronic ones in various tissues and organs. Pesticidesusage in agricultural fields to control pests is extremely toxic to non-target organisms like fish and affectsfish health through impairment of histological structure, sometimes leading to mortality. The presenthistopathological study reveals the potential adverse effects of monocrotophos, an organophosphatepesticide, on a fresh water fish, Anabas testudineus and it document a dose- dependent reaction of liver andkidney histology. The histological changes observed in liver included fatty-vacuolation and the displacementof nuclei to the periphery of the hepatocytes, congested and constricted liver sinusoids, condensedhepatocytes, destructed hepatocytes and pyknotic nuclei. The major histological alterations identified inthe kidney were melano-macrophage centres, shrunken renal tubules and degenerated renal tubule.Calculation of organ index is used for comparing the severity of lesions in different organs. These organindices are used for calculating total index. In the present study the total index showed the health status offishes in each sublethal concentration “Calculation of organ index is used for comparing the severity oflesions in different organs. These organ indices are used for calculating total index. In the present study thetotal index showed the health status of fishes in each sublethal concentration and the status became worsein the higher sublethal concentrations. “ and the status became worse in the higher sublethal concentrations. Histopathology can be used as a tool for assessing the sublethal conditions of water quality and it gives a“rapid early warning system”.