Evaluation of hemato-biochemical, antioxidant enzymes as biochemical biomarkers and genotoxic potential of glyphosate in freshwater fish (Labeo rohita)

ABSTRACT

Glyphosate, an herbicide is extensively used in aquaculture and agriculture to control unwanted weeds, the exact mechanism of its toxicity in freshwater fish is not exactly understood. Therefore, the current study examined the mechanisms of toxicity of glyphosate in Labeo rohita. Labeo rohita were randomly divided into five groups and were exposed to glyphosate. Glyphosate-treated fish exhibited clinical and behavioural ailments. Microscopically, different gills of exposed fish indicated necrosis of epithelial cells of the primary and secondary lamellae, congestion, atrophied lamellae, and uplifting of lamellae. Kidneys and livers of intoxicated fish exhibited different degenerative abnormalities. Red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes, and monocytes count decreased significantly (p < 0.05) while biomarkers of liver and kidneys increased significantly in treated fish at higher doses. Values of various biochemical parameters of liver, kidneys, and gills tissues in treated fish including generation of ROS increased significantly while total proteins, antioxidant enzymes catalase, reduced GSH, and SOD significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in time and a dose-dependent manner. Comet and micronucleus assays showed an increased frequency of DNA damage. In conclusion, results indicated that glyphosate induces toxicity via physiological and chemical disturbances in different tissues of fish in a dose and time response.

KEYWORDS:

• Glyphosate
• Labeo rohita
• biochemistry
• oxidative stress
• antioxidant enzymes genotoxicity
• histopathology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abdul Ghaffar

Dr Abdul Ghaffar is Associate Professor at Department of Life Sciences (Zoology), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan. He has been guiding graduate students of zoology in the area especially fish toxicology.

Riaz Hussain

Dr Riaz Hussain is Associate Professor at Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur- 63000, Pakistan. He has been guiding graduate students of pathobiology and zoology in the field of toxico-pathology, molecular pathobiology and enteric diseases.

Noman Ahmad

Mr Noman Ahmad is graduate student at Department of Life Sciences (Zoology), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan.

Riaz Ghafoor

Mr Riaz Ghafoor is graduate student at Department of Life Sciences (Zoology), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan.

Muhammad Waseem Akram

Mr Muhammad Waseem Akram is graduate student at Department of Life Sciences (Zoology), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur-63100, Pakistan.

Iahtasham Khan

Dr Iahtasham Khan is Professor and Head of the Section of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Sub-Campus, Jhang, Pakistan.

Ahrar Khan

Dr Ahrar Khan is Distinguished Professor at the Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China. He had been Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan and Director, Quality Enhancement Cell, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He had been guiding graduate students of Pathology/Microbiology in field of toxico-pathology, molecular pathobiology and enteric diseases.