Experimental Study on Acute Exposure of Pyrazosulfuron Ethyl Induced Haematological and Blood Biochemical Changes in the Freshwater Teleost Fish Oreochromis mossambicus

The buildup of agriculture pesticides in the aquatic habitat through natural run-off is a major problem
faced by developing and developed countries. The present study was designed to evaluate the 96 hr
LC50 of herbicide, Pyrazosulfuron-Ethyl, which belongs to the Sulfonylurea group. Static bioassay with
continuous aeration under laboratory conditions, acute toxicity of the herbicide was determined for
freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Health indicators like hematological and biochemical
parameters are used to detect the functional status of fish under acute exposure. Moreover,
biochemical parameters like plasma glucose, protein, albumin and globulin were also studied to
evaluate the toxic potential of the herbicide. Results revealed that the herbicide led to significant
changes in the hematological parameters such as RBC count, Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC, MCV and
WBC count and biochemical parameters. These alterations can be used as non-specific biomarkers in
herbicide contaminated aquatic ecosystems.