Physiological (haematological, growth and endocrine) and biochemical biomarker responses in air-breathing catfish, Clarias batrachus under long-term Captan® pesticide exposures

The sub-lethal toxicity of Captan (R) on selected haematological (Hemoglobin, Haematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) growth (Condition factor, Hepatosomatic Index, Specific Growth Rate), biochemical (serum glucose, protein), and endocrine parameters (growth hormone, T-3 and T-4) in Clarias batrachus was examined under chronic exposures. Captan (R) was administered at predetermined exposure concentrations (0.53 and 1.06 mg/L) and monitored on days 15, 30, and 45 of the experimental periods. The experimental groups showed significantly lower values (p < 0.05) of haemoglobin content, hematocrit, MCH in Captan (R) exposed fish compared to control. Serum protein, k-factor and SGR were significantly lower in exposed fish. Endocrine responses (T-3 and T-4) emerged as the most sensitive biomarker category, depicting modulated responses between sub-chronic exposure at day-15 and chronic responses at day-45. In general, biomarker depictions indicate that Captan (R) exposures are capable of inducing stress-specific effects at the biochemical and physiological levels negatively impacting the overall health and longevity of such animals.

Automated summary

This study examined the sub-lethal toxicity of Captan (R) on selected haematological, growth, biochemical, and endocrine parameters in Clarias batrachus. The results showed significant decreases in blood and biochemical indicators, while the endocrine responses exhibited higher sensitivity.