The effects of diazinon on haematological indices and LC50(96h) of Acipenser nudiventris

Abstract

We treated 150 specimens of Acipenser nudiventris with diazinon and used 30 individuals as control to assess the haematological effects of the pesticide and LC50(96h) for the fish. The acute toxicity test lasting 96 hours was conducted on juvenile Acipenser nudiventris kept in aerated stagnant water contaminated with diazinon. The LC50(96h) values of diazinon for Acipenser nudiventris juveniles was 4.6 mg/i. The experimental groups of fish showed statistically significant difference in their erythrocyte, haemoglobine, leukocyte and differential leukocyte count (P<0.05). Acute toxicity effects of diazinon on the fish was recorded as lowered erythrocyte and lymphocyte count with a significant increase in developed neutrophile count (P<0.05). It is suggested that the change in erythrocyte and leukocyte count may have been caused as a result of disruption of haematopoiesis and a decrease in non-specific immunity level of the fish.