Nature of dichlorvos intoxication in a freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne Edwards).

Exposure of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne Edwards) to a lethal dose (96-hr LC50;0.78 mg/l) of dichlorvos for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr induced inhibition in acetylcholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities and enhanced acid phosphatase activity. Hepatic glycogen values were depleted while the blood glucose level was increased up to 72 hr of exposure. After 96 hr of dichlorvos exposure hypoglycemia was recorded. The possible role of these changes in the dichlorvos intoxication is discussed.