Histopathological determination of changes in tissues of Lake Van Fish (Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814)) exposed to Esfenvalerate

Esfenvalerate is a widely used pesticide of the pyrethroid insecticide group. It is a hydrophobic pesticide with toxic effects on many aquatic organisms. In this study, the damage caused by esfenvalerate 0.158 mu g/L administered sublethally to the gills, liver, and kidneys of Lake Van fish was determined histopathologically. Lesions such as necrosis, hyperplasia, epithelial lifting, hypertrophy, and haemorrhage were observed in the gills exposed to esfenvalerate. Gill goblet cells increased after 24 h and decreased on the other days of esfenvalerate exposure. Histopathological changes such as haemorrhage, hypertrophy, necrosis, and cloudy degeneration were observed in the liver. In the kidneys, lesions such as haemorrhage, necrosis, cell degeneration, Bowman's capsule enlargement, and glomerulus atrophy were detected. These lesions increased in tissues depending on the length of application of esfenvalerate. As a result of this study, it was determined that esfenvalerate caused damage to the gills, liver, and kidneys in Lake Van fish depending on time. These anomalies observed in the gills, liver, and kidneys can be used as a bioindicator of esfenvalerate contamination in Lake Van.