SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF ENDOSULFAN ON THE HISTOLOGY AND PROTEIN PATTERN OF CYPRINUS-CARPIO GILL

Histological and protein pattern changes in the gill of the common car p, Cyprinus carpio were investigated following exposure to sublethal c oncentrations of the organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan. Hyperplas ia, lamellar fusion, curling of the tips of primary lamellae, exudatio n of erythrocytes and bulging of the tips of primary lamellae were the histological lesions observed. Protein pattern of the gill varied at different sampling periods characterised by disappearance of certain f ractions and occurrence of additional fractions. It was concluded that the severity of histological changes and protein pattern variations s een in the gill was dependent on both the duration of exposure and the concentrations of endosulfan used (over the range 5-25 % of the 96 hr LC50 value, 5.199 ppb).