Gene expression analysis in gonads and brain of catfish Clarias batrachus after the exposure of malathion.
Pesticides like malathion have the potential to disrupt development and reproduction of aquatic organisms including fishes. To investigate the likely consequences of malathion exposure at low doses in juvenile catfish, Clarias batrachus, we studied the expression pattern of genes encoding certain transcription factors, activin A, sex steroid or orphan nuclear receptors and steroidogenic enzymes which are known to be involved in gonadal development along with histological changes. To compare further, we also analyzed certain brain specific genes related to gonadal axis. Fifty days post hatch catfish fingerlings were exposed continuously to 1 and 10 µg/L of malathion for 21 days. Results from these experiments indicated that transcript levels of various genes were altered by the treatments, which may further affect the gonadal development either directly or indirectly through brain. Histological analysis revealed slow progression of spermatogenesis in testis, while in ovary, the oil droplet oocytes were found to be higher after treatment (10 µg/L). Our findings revealed that the exposure of malathion, even at low doses, hinder or modulate early gonadal development differentially by targeting gene expression pattern of transcription factors, activin A, sex steroid or orphan nuclear receptors and steroidogenic enzymes with an evidence on histological changes. Further, some of the genes showed differential expression at the level of brain in male and female sex after the exposure of malathion.
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Prathibha
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Murugananthkumar
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Rajakumar
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Laldinsangi
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Sudhakumari
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Mamta
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Dutta-Gupta
Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences-Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Hyderabad, PO Central University, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India. Electronic address: bsksl@uohyd.ernet.in.
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Senthilkumaran
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002397:Catfishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D014157:Transcription Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008294:Malathion
Catfish; Gonads; Malathion; Sex steroid or orphan nuclear receptors; Steroidogenic enzyme genes; Transcription factors