Protective Roles of Neem Leaves on Hormonal Levels in Heteroclarias Exposed to Diclofenac

Background: The release of the untreated effluents from the pharmaceutical factories has great potential adverse effects on the aquatic organisms like fish, which could induce stress and cause alterations in the hormonal levels of the fish. Methods: This study investigated the effects of lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of Diclofenac on hormonal levels of Heteroclarias for 96 h and 30 d. The Diclofenac-exposed-fish were fed on different percentages (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 %) of Neem leaf to access the ameliorative potentials of the leaf against the toxicity of Diclofenac. After each experiment, blood was collected from both the control and the Diclofenac-exposed fish for hormonal assay. Results: The 96 h LC50 was estimated as 10.8 mg/l. The serum levels of hormones such as follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH); luteinizing hormone (LH); oestradiol; prolactin; testosterone; progesterone; triiodothyronine (T3); thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the Diclofenac-exposed-group compared to control and the reduction is concentration dependent. However, group C fed on 1 % Neem leaf significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to group B fed on 0 % Neem leaf. Conclusion: The study implies that 1 % Neem leaf inclusion in diet of Heteroclarias is capable of minimizing the toxic effect of Diclofenac and improve the hormonal levels of the fish.