Carbohydrate metabolism in hepatic tissue of freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus L. during dimethoate exposure.

Clarias batrachus L., a freshwater catfish of commercial importance, was exposed to a sublethal concentration of dimethoate (Rogor). The acute effect of dimethoate on some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism of hepatic tissue was studied after 1, 2, 4 and 8 days. The glycogen content was depleted, whereas the lactate level was elevated throughout the experimental period and an increase in lactate dehydrogenase was observed. The activity levels of glycogen phosphorylase a and ab in the hepatic tissue were increased during dimethoate stress. The results suggest that carbohydrate metabolism was adversely affected in the hepatic tissue by the organophosphate insecticide dimethoate.