Effects of sub-chronic exposure to terbutryn in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The sub-chronic effects of terbutryn at concentrations 0.02 (reported concentration in Czech rivers), 4, 20, and 40 mu g L-1 were assessed in one-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) exposed for 28 days and compared to a non-treated control group. Its influence on biometric parameters, hematology, blood biochemistry, and histology was investigated. Exposure to terbutryn at 0.02 mu g L-1 showed no observable effect, whereas exposure to 4, 20, and 40 mu g L-1 showed significantly higher erythrocyte Counts, ammonia levels, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and lactate, but significantly lower mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and creatine. Cell shape changes and lipid inclusions were found in hepatocytes, and there was destruction of caudal kidney tubules when compared to control fish. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.