Effect of Diafenthiuron exposure under short and long term experimental conditions on hematology, serum biochemical profile and elemental composition of a non-target organism, Labeo rohita.

Diafenthiuron is a thiourea compound that has a novel mode of action as it inhibits mitochondrial functioning in insect pests. It has been reported in local newspapers that this pesticide is entering in our fresh water bodies on regular basis and it is a potential threat for aquatic life. The present study was designed to determine effect of Diafenthiuron, a commonly used pesticide in Pakistan, on the hematology, serum biochemical profile and elemental composition of a non-target organism, Labeo rohita (L. rohita). A sub-lethal dose (0.0075 mg L-1) of Diafenthiuron was applied under short (2, 4 and 8 days) and long term (16, 32 and 64 days) experimental conditions. Our results indicated that the pesticide exposed fish had significantly higher white blood count, lymphocyte, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width than the control group. However, platelets count, plateletcrit and platelet distribution width were significantly reduced in Diafenthiuron treatments than their respective control groups. Concentration of total serum proteins, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides and AST were disturbed in pesticide exposed treatments compared to control groups. Comparison of elemental concentrations revealed that calcium, potassium and cadmium concentration varied significantly when compared between Diafenthiuron treated and untreated L. rohita. In conclusion, we are reporting that Diafenthiuron can adversely affect the hematological, serum and elemental concentrations of a non-target organism like L. rohita and may therefore pose a threat to the food web.