sublethal haematological effects of dichlorvos on the fresh water fish, cyprinus carpio var. communis

The acute toxicity of an organophosphorous pesticide dichlorvos on haematological parameters of an economically important fresh water teleost fish Cyprinus carpio var. communis was evaluated under static conditions. The median lethal concentration or Lc50 value of dichlorvos was found to be 0.95 mg/l indicating the high toxicity of the pesticide. Fishes were exposed to different concentrations of dichlorvos and the alterations of the different haematological parameters were studied at the end of 24 hrs and 96 hrs of exposure. Reduction in the number of red blood cells, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin indicated anemia and also a decrease in white blood cells was indicated a decrease in the immunity of the exposed fish.