Integration of Cholinesterase, cortisol and blood glucose in the fish, Labeo rohita as biomarkers of pollution

P * PChairman, Bihar State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Govt. of India & Corresponding Author 1. Abstract: Signal transduction by xenobiotics in fish has gained much attention in the recent decade. Organophosphates and carbamates bind specifically to the membrane bound enzyme acetylcholinesterase affecting neural transmission. Since nervous system is one of the important physiological systems in animals, hypofunction of nervous system leads to secondary hypothalamic functions. Even low levels of xenobiotics are sufficient enough to bring about remarkable changes in the functional physiology of fish. In the present study, sub-lethal acute toxicity of methyl parathion in fish, Labeo rohita was assessed using an integration of biomarkers namely acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, cortisol and glucose. These biomarkers were selected as indicators of key physiological functions in the fish Labeo rohita as a function of methyl parathion. These biochemical endpoints could therefore be recommended to the policy makers in India for using these biomarkers of pollution to be used as complementary parameters in the assessment of water quality.