Effect on Neurotransmitter Substances Exposed to Synthetic Pyrethroid (Lambda-Cyhalothrin) in Freshwater Catfish

Abstract

Numerous pollutants found in the environment are known to have neurotoxic effects. In fish and animals, these neurotoxins have been shown to alter neurotransmitter levels and cause brain dysfunction. Lambda-cyhalothrin is a widely used agricultural pyrethroid that is extremely hazardous to fish and aquatic invertebrates due to its strong adsorption to soil sediments. As a result, it is shown to be persistent in the soil environment. Catfish, which are widely cultivated in rice-paddy slurries, give farmers an extra revenue stream. However, both commercially raised fish and fish raised in paddy fields run the risk of being directly exposed to toxicants used for field pest control. The fishes exhibited notable inhibition of the AChE enzyme after being exposed to a sub-lethal quantity of the pyrethroids for an extended period of time. Inhibition of AChE activity was also observed in the brain, liver, muscle and plasma of fingerling channel catfish when exposed to synthetic pyrethroids.