Effect of long-term exposure to simazine on histopathology, hematological, and biochemical parameters in Cyprinus carpio.

We investigated if residues of simazine in the natural waters would cause histological, hematological, and biochemical alterations in carps from contaminated areas in Badajoz (Spain). Some necrotic foci in kidney and liver, hepatitis, and hepatic steatosis were detected. No changes on measured hematological and biochemical parameters between fish from reference and contaminated ponds were observed. To assess if simazine exposure was the cause of these observations carps were exposed in the laboratory to simazine (45 microg/L) for 90 days. Some results obtained in the field were confirmed in laboratory, such as necrosis in kidney and liver and hepatic steatosis. Globular eosinophilic foci in kidney and a slight decrease of the hematocrit were also detected. These changes were moderate and indicative of an adaptation of the fish to the toxic stress caused by exposure to low simazine concentrations. Copyright 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.