Chlorpyrifos and Bifenthrin Induced Histopathological and Biochemical Alterations in Different Organs of <scp> <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i> </scp>

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and bifenthrin (BF) are two of the most commonly used pesticides in the agriculture sector, which may accumulate in the environment and cause biotoxicity. The current study was conducted to check the potential toxicity of CPF and BF on Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The 96 h-LC₅₀ of CPF, BF, and their mixture were calculated as 11.2 μg/L, 4.7 μg/L, and 0.8 μg/L, respectively. A total of 120 adult fish distributed into 12 aquariums (n = 10 fish/aquarium) weighing 118 ± 5 were used; sublethal concentrations of CPF (3.72 μg/L), BF (1.34 μg/L), and CPF + BF mixture (0.26 μg/L) were administered for 30 days during the experiment. Results showed a decline in antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in the liver, kidney, and testis of fish in all exposure groups. Whereas the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were increased. Similarly, insecticide exposure caused DNA damage in terms of increased tail length, scattered chromatin with reduced %DNA in the head. Histoarchitectural variations showed more prominent damage in BF and CPF + BF-treated groups. Liver histopathology showed necrosis, macrophage aggregation, and damaged hepatocytes, while in the kidney, tissue hemorrhage and fragmentation of convoluted tubules were evident in treated groups. Additionally, gonadal histopathology showed dilated seminiferous tubules, wider lumen with reduced sperm count in treated groups. Results of the present study suggest that CPF and BF have the potential to cause hepatic, renal, and testicular toxicity in H. molitrix with synergism.