Effect of Water Pollution with Buprofezin on Freshwater African Adult Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Background: Buprofezin, a thiadiazine insecticide globally recognized as a molting inhibitor, is widely used for controlling whitefly and other insect pests. Objectives: This study investigated the impacts of sub-lethal buprofezin concentrations (0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/L) on adult Clarias gariepinus fish over an 8-day exposure period. Materials and Methods: The 96-h LC50 was determined to be 2.4 mg/L. During the sub-lethal treatment, genotoxic analysis, hematological examination, biochemical analysis, and histopathological observations were performed. Results: Genotoxic analysis revealed a gradual, concentration-dependent increase in micronucleus abnormalities, including binucleus, blebbed nuclei, lobed nuclei, and notched nuclei. Hematological examination revealed a considerable increase in white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, alongside a reduction in lymphocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, and platelets. Biochemical analysis indicated a decline in alkaline phosphatase and total protein levels, while aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total glucose levels progressively increased with higher buprofezin doses. Histopathological observations revealed significant alterations in gills, such as cellular proliferation leading to lamellae fusion. The liver exhibited necrosis, vacuolization, hemorrhage, sac formation, enlargement, and rupturing of hepatocytes. Conclusion: These findings collectively demonstrate that buprofezin induces significant genotoxic, hematological, biochemical, and tissue abnormalities in C. gariepinus, highlighting its potential ecotoxicological risks in freshwater ecosystems.