Sublethal effects of waterborne herbicides in tropical freshwater fish

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2011 Dec;87(6):603-7. doi: 10.1007/s00128-011-0397-6. Epub 2011 Oct 8.

Abstract

The study evaluated the sublethal effects of the herbicides glyphosate (Roundup) and diuron (Hexaron) and the mixture of them, used extremely in agriculture, through biomarkers in fish. The glutathione S-transferase activity increased (74%) and catalase activity decreased (37%) at the higher exposure concentration of Hexaron in comparison to the control group, suggesting an activation of this metabolism route. Membrane damage was observed at the higher exposure of Roundup and in the mixture group compared to the control group, which can be related to the nuclear alterations observed in these exposed groups. The cholinesterase activity was also inhibited (37%) in mixture group compared to the control group and no gill morphology damage was found. The results suggested a potential synergic effect in some analysed parameters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Characidae / metabolism*
  • Cholinesterases / metabolism
  • Diuron / toxicity
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Fresh Water / chemistry*
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives
  • Glycine / toxicity
  • Glyphosate
  • Herbicides / toxicity*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Herbicides
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Diuron
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Cholinesterases
  • Glycine