EVALUATING THE BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL EXPOSURE TO GLUFOSINATE-AMMONIUM ON MODEL ORGANISM ZEBRAFISH (Danio rerio) TISSUES

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used chemicals in agriculture, but these chemicals reach aquatic animals and pollute their habitats. In our study, the effects of Glufosinate-ammonium, a widely used herbicide, on the liver and gill tissues of the zebrafish (Danio rerio), which is a model organism, were examined. Primarily, the dose that would kill fifty percent of these fish was determined. In the next step, zebrafish were exposed to sublethal doses (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) for 120 hours. The effects of the herbicide on oxidative stress parameters were evaluated as enzymatic (Catalase-CAT and Acetylcholinesterase-AChE enzyme activity) and non-enzymatic (Glutathione-GSH, Malondialdehyde-MDA and Total Protein levels). In conclusion, MDA, Total Protein, GSH levels and CAT enzyme activities decreased at low dosing (50 mg/L) in laboratory conditions in zebrafish liver and gill tissues associated with oxidative stress, while it increased at high dosing (100 mg/L). AChE enzyme activity showed a similar picture in liver tissue, but increased in gill tissue at both doses. It can be said that the effect of Glufosinate-ammonium may increase depending on the dose and its presence may pose a serious threat to fish.