Oxidative stress in the freshwater cyprinid crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.) upon chronic exposure to endosulfan

Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses of crucian carp, upon chronic exposure to endosulfan, were evaluated in vivo. The lethal concentration (LC50-96 h) was 70 mu g L-1; on its basis, the fish were exposed to endosulfan at 20, 35, and 50 mu g L-1 and autopsy was done on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Lipid peroxidation was induced in a concentration-dependent manner, being highest at 50 mu g L-1 (3/4 LC50-96 h, sub-lethal concentration-I, SL-I) on day 4 (720% versus control), followed in its extent (490%) at 30 mu g L-1 (1/2 LC50-96 h, sub-lethal concentration-II, SL-II) on day 7 and lowest (260%) at 10 mu g L-1 (1/4 LC50-96 h, sub-lethal concentration-III, SL-III) on day 14. Glutathione showed a concentration- and time-dependent elevation in the initial phase, with highest level on day 4 (180%) at SL-I, but showed significant reduction in all test concentrations from day 21 of post-exposure. Superoxide dismutase was decreased significantly throughout the study, with highest reduction (63%) on day 4 at SL-I; catalase increased in all test concentrations up to day 14 but showed a significant decrease from the day 28 of post-exposure. The potential role of these parameters as indicators of pesticide pollution in aquatic systems is discussed.