SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF AN ORGANOPHOSPHATE INSECTICIDE ON THE EUROPEAN EEL, ANGUILLA-ANGUILLA

The present communication deals with the effects of fenitrothion (0.02 mg/liter) on the energy metabolism of the European eel, Anguilla angu illa, and its recovery from intoxication. Various parameters such as g lycogen, lactate, proteins, and glucose levels were measured in differ ent eel tissues after 2, 8, 12, 24, 32, 48, 56, 72, and 96 hr of fenit rothion exposure. Subsequently, the fish were allowed recovery periods of 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, and 192 hr in clean water, and the sam e parameters were evaluated, Liver glycogen content showed no signific ant changes during the exposure time, while blood glucose levels incre ased markedly, Gill, liver, and blood lactate values increased during pesticide exposure, while proteins decreased in comparison to unexpose d controls, Most of the metabolic disorders did not persist after eels were allowed to recover in clean water for less than a week, The obse rved effects of fenitrothion on fish metabolism are discussed in relat ion to a stress syndrome, as are probable reasons for alterations. (C) 1997 Academic Press.