M. SANTHAKUMAR, M. BALAJI AND K. RAMUDU
Abstract
The freshwater fish Anabas testudineus were exposed to sublethal concentrations 1.9 ppm and 9.5 ppm (1/10,1/2 of 96 h LC50) of monccrotophos for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The alterations in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were studied in the liver, gills and brain. The activity of acetylcholinesterase altered due to pesticide intoxication and maximum per cent inhibition in enzyme activity was in order of brain> gills > liver. The AChE activity were significantly (P <0.001) reduced to 41.5% and 59.23% in brain, 31.79% 42.05% in liver, 29.03% and 45.16% in gills of fishes exposed to 1.9 ppm and 9.5 ppm of monocrotophos. The results indicate that inhibition of AChE activity in fish exposed to monocrotophos.