HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF Anabas testudineus EXPOSED TO SUB-LETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF PHOSPHAMIDON

Pesticides usage in agricultural fields to control pests is extremely toxic to non-target organisms like fish and affects fish health through impairment of histological structure, sometimes leading to mortality. The histopathological study reveals the potential adverse effects of Phosphamidon, an organophosphate pesticide, on a fresh water fish, Anabas testudineus and it document a dose- dependent reaction of liver and kidney histology. The histological changes observed in liver included fatty-vacuolation and the displacement of nuclei to the periphery of the hepatocytes, congested and constricted liver sinusoids, condensed hepatocytes, destructed cell membrane, necrosis and neoplasm. The major histological alterations identified in the kidney were shrinkage of renal tubules and glomeruli, presence of melano-macrophage centres and degeneration of renal tubules. Histopathology can be used as a tool for assessing the sublethal conditions of water quality and it gives a "rapid early warning system".