A Review on Toxic Effects of Pesticides on Physiological Aspects of Fish

Abstract

Pesticides are notorious for staying and spreading in the environment, and they can accumulate and disturb the food web, which endangers both animals and humans. This study summarizes the available information on the eco-toxicology of pesticides in fish. The majority of pesticides are released into the environment, and very few that are applied reach their biological goal; where they can accumulate and be hazardous to organisms that are not their intended targets. Their entry into aquatic ecosystems causes disastrous effects on flora and fauna. An attempt has been made to critically review the harmful effects of different pesticides on different fish species. This review will focus on the various alternations or changes in fish behavior (like as increased surface breathing, tremors in their fins, air gulping, irregular swimming and operculum movement), biochemical characteristics (such as antioxidant defense system damage caused by the production of ROS, altered levels of several oxidative stress indicators, including MDA, GST, SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx levels), blood parameters (like altered levels of RBC, WBC, MCH, MCV Hct and Hb contents) and histopathological changes (in liver, gills, intestine, kidney and gonads) caused by various pesticides. Higher concentrations of pesticides in the water bodies can lead to the mortality of fish species while sub-lethal concentrations have long-lasting effects.