Histological and Biochemical Changes Caused by the Pesticides Endosulfan, Chlorpyrifos and Carbaryl on the Gonads of Fiddler Crab, Uca triangularis

Ecotoxicity of chemical contaminants has become one of the most critical environmental problems of this century. Pesticides used in agriculture are among the most hazardous chemicals and it reaches the lakes and rivers through agricultural runoff and affecting most of the organisms of the aquatic system. The present work is aimed to determine the toxicity of three pesticides: Endosulfan (1.3 ppm), Chlorpyrifos (1.723 ppm) and Carbaryl (0.301 ppm) on the gondal organs of the Fiddler crab, Uca triangularis with the help of histological and biochemical studies. Enlarged cuticular layer, degenerated oocytes, reduced epithelial layer, vacuolization and necrosis were observed in Spermatheca and Ovary. Total protein, carbohydrate and lipids were decreased significantly in pesticides treated groups at sublethal concentration and significantly decreased SDH and ACP activity and increased LDH and ALP activities were observed in Spermatheca and Ovary of Uca triangularis on exposure to Endosulfan and Chlorpyrifos and Carbaryl. Changes in the biochemical constituents and altered enzymatic activities indicated the metabolic stress is induced by the pesticides which had affected the reproduction ability and thus affected balance in the Ecosystem.