Abstract

Fenvalerate is one among the synthetic pyrethroids, preferred for its low persistence, low toxicity to birds and mammals, broad spectrum of action on plant pests and metabolites/degradation products non toxic to man and other vertebrates. However, it is highly toxic to fish causing severe alterations in the metabolism of the organism, sometimes proving to be fatal if the concentrations are high. The present study envisages the variations in the distribution of biochemical constituents in the five major tissues viz., liver, muscle, kidney, brain and gill of the two carps, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigalaexposed to sublethal and lethal concentrations of the technical grade pyrethroid, Fenvalerate. Elevation or depression in the levels of glycogen, total proteins, free amino acids and enzymes GDH, AAT and ALAT in different tissues observed were discussed in the light of metabolic stress caused due to the exposure to the toxicant. 

Key words: Fenvalerate, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, toxicity, biochemical constituents, enzyme activity.