In vivo modification of fatty acids and glycerides metabolism in response to 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane and cythion exposure in the catfish, Clarias batrachus.

Specimens of either sex of the freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus, were exposed to safe and sublethal concentrations of gamma-BHC (2 and 8 ppm) and cythion (1 and 4 ppm) for 4 weeks during different phases of annual reproductive cycle. Their effects on free fatty acids (FFA) and acyl glycerides, viz., monoglycerides (MG), diglycerides (DG), and triglycerides (TG), were studied in liver, plasma, gonads, and muscle. During the preparatory phase, both pesticides suppressed the levels of FFA and acylglycerides (MG, DG, and TG) in liver of either sex but had no effect on their levels in plasma, ovary, and muscle; however, FFA and TG were reduced in testis. Unlike the preparatory phase, in the prespawning phase different lipids responded variedly to the concentrations of both Cythion and gamma-BHC. In the female, FFA in liver and plasma was raised but in ovary and muscle it was decreased. Acylglycerides in studied tissues were also reduced except ovarian TG which was increased by both pesticides at safe concentrations. Contrary to this, in the male these lipids were raised in liver and testis. Moreover, during the spawning phase, these pesticides enhanced the hepatic FFA together with acylglycerides in the female but failed to elicit any change in their levels in the male. Plasma levels of FFA and TG were reduced in the female; however, in the male FFA was raised and TG remained unchanged. Ovarian FFA and TG were decreased and increased, respectively. During the postspawning phase, none of the lipid fractions could be affected in the male except hepatic FFA which was reduced; however, in the female TG along with FFA was decreased.