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Metabolic effects of trichlorfon (Masoten®) on the neotropical freshwater fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

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Abstract

Fish parasites are among the crucial limiting factors in aquaculture. The organophosphorous pesticide trichlorfon is widely used as an insecticide and against fish parasites worldwide. In this study, the effects of environmental trichlorfon on biochemical and physiological parameters were investigated in Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu), a widely farmed fish in South America, through sublethal exposure (8 µg L−1, 10 % of the LC50; 96 h) and recovery. The activity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was reduced after exposure (15.5 %) and remained decreased during the recovery (21.5 %). In white muscle, AChE activity decreased 31 % only after recovery. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities of the liver, muscle and plasma were steady during exposure. However, after the recovery period, ALP activity was increased in the liver and muscle and decreased in plasma, while ACP was increased in the liver and decreased in muscle. Intermediary metabolism was also affected by trichlorfon, depicting increase of energetic demand (hypoglycemia, neoglucogenesis and lipid catabolism), which remained even after recovery. These results indicate that P. mesopotamicus is adversely affected by sublethal concentrations of trichlorfon and are useful for assessing the impact as well as the pros and cons of its use in controlling fish parasites in aquaculture.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, proc. no. 2007/57927-8) as a master scholarship for F. P. Venturini. Thanks are given to N. S. Shiogiri, S. P. Carraschi and A. D. A. da Silva and to all colleagues at NEPEAM and the Laboratory of Adaptive Biochemistry for their support in collecting the samples. We would also like to thank Professor C. J. Kennedy for the valuable suggestions.

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  1. Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz Km 235, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13565-905, Brazil

    Francine P. Venturini, Fernanda D. Moraes, Lucas R. X. Cortella, Priscila A. Rossi & Gilberto Moraes

  2. Weed Environmental Research and Studies at UNESP (NEPEAM), Rod. Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal, SP, CEP 14884-900, Brazil

    Claudinei Cruz

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  1. Francine P. Venturini
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  2. Fernanda D. Moraes
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  3. Lucas R. X. Cortella
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  5. Claudinei Cruz
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  6. Gilberto Moraes
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Venturini, F.P., Moraes, F.D., Cortella, L.R.X. et al. Metabolic effects of trichlorfon (Masoten®) on the neotropical freshwater fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Fish Physiol Biochem 41, 299–309 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-014-9983-y

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