Metabolic changes induced by organophosphates in the piscine organs

Two common fish of commercial importance viz., Channa punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis were exposed to sublethal concentrations of malathion and dimethoate (rogor). The exposure to malathion showed a gradual decrease in glycogen content in the liver and kidney of C. punctatus whereas the cholesterol level was increased. The protein content decreased initially, but thereafter a gradual increase was observed. However, in the exposure of H. fossilis to dimethoate, there was an increase in the glycogen content both in the liver and kidney during the second week. Thereafter a decrease was noted. The protein content showed insignificant changes. The specific activity of SDH showed a sharp rise initially for 2 weeks followed by a steep decline in both the tissues. The significance of these results are discussed in light of piscine metabolism.