Abstract
The present study has been conducted to understand the protective role of vitamin C on malathion toxicity in the gill for a period of 50 days. Five groups of 10 fish each were exposed separately to malathion (0.71ppm) solution prepared in tap water. Each group was exposed for 6, 12, 25, 35 and 50 days to one of the following treatments:Group I: Control group, fish were reared in tap water and fed on a commercial diet (32% protein).Group II: Control group, fish were reared in tap water and fed on a commercial diet (32% protein) supplemented with 500 mg vitamin C/kg diet.Group III: Fish were exposed to 1/10 LC50(0.71mg/l) of malathion and fed on a commercial diet (32% protein). Group IV: Fish were exposed to 0.71mg/l of malathion and fed on a commercial diet (32% protein) supplemented with 500 mg vitamin C/kg diet.In Group III, the gills showed extensive damages in their lamellar configuration even though the gill continue to regenerate repeatedly after every wear and tear, especially during the initial stages. The gill showed fusion of SL with the neighbouring gill filament and form undifferentiated mass of cells. The present study indicated that malathion at sub-lethal levels under laboratory conditions had the capacity to alter the normal physiological functions gills of catfish, C. batrachus.

15030211 Studies on Malathion Toxicity in the Gill of the Catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) pdf