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The impact of atrazine, a triazine herbicide, on the lipid metabolism of fish, Sarotherodon mossambica was studied. Significant changes were reported in the lipid profiles of liver and muscle as a function of exposure period.

Studies were conducted on haematological constituents such as Red blood cells (RBC), White blood cells (WBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Blood volume (BV), Blood water content (BWC) and Whole animal oxygen consumption (WAOC) in the fish exposed to sublethal concentration of atrazine. Significant changes were seen in the constituents of the blood and O2 consumption of fish suggesting the existence of respiratory distress in the fish as a consequence of atrazine toxicity.

The present study deals with the effect of atrazine on nitrogen metabolism in the liver and brain of fish. Significant changes were seen in the levels of proteins, free amino acids, ammonia, urea, glutamine and the activity levels of proteases, glucogenic aminotransferases, branched-chain aminotransferases, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, arginase, AMP deaminase and adenosine deaminase in both the tissues of fish exposed to sublethal concentration of atrazine. The study reflects a shift in nitrogen concentration of atrazine. The study reflects a shift in nitrogen metabolism in the tissues of fish for efficient mobilization of end products of protein catabolism as a consequence of atrazine.

Effect in vivo of atrazine on total body weight, hydration level, haemolymph volume, inorganic electrolytes was studied in the gill, hepatopancreas and haemolymph of the crab. Significant changes were seen in the tissues indicating disturbances in the hydromineral balance of the crab as a consequence of atrazine.