title: Effects of long-term exposure to cythion on the reproduction of the teleost fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).
abstract: The chronic toxic effects of an organophosphorus pesticide on some aspects of the physiology of reproduction in a teleost fish, Channa punctatus, are described in this investigation. Fish exposed to 2.0 mg litre(-1) of commercial cythion continuously for 6 months, from January (resting phase) to June (spawning phase), exhibited a significant inhibition of gonadal development and gonadosomatic index. These changes were correlated with less active, and a reduced number of, pituitary gonadotrophs, and biochemical changes in the gonads and liver. The immature oocytes of the experimental fish exhibited cytoplasmic proteinaceous 'inclusion bodies', which ultimately led to their degeneration. The results suggest that cythion may act directly on the gonads and/or through the pituitary-gonadal axis, in this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, India.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sathyanesan