Sub-lethal effect of cypermethrin on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and acetylcholine (Ach) content in selected tissues of Channa striatus (Bloch.)

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the sub-lethal effect of cypermethrin on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and acetylcholine (ACh) content in various organ tissues of Channa striatus. Activity of AChE and ACh content was estimated in the tissues of brain, gills, liver, kidney, intestine and muscle of the exposed fish at regular intervals of 1, 7, 15 and 30 days. The study revealed that the inhibition of the enzyme activity followed by a concomitant increase of ACh content was observed in all the tissues of C. striatus during the exposed period. It was also observed that there was a sudden increase in the AChE activity during 24 h exposure. Enhancement in the activity of AChE might be due to the stress experienced by the fish during the experimental period.   Key words:  Cypermethrin, acetylchonesterase (AChE), acetylcholine (Ach), Channa striatus.