Responses of cypermethrin-induced stress in haematological parameters of Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf)

An increasing number of synthetic pyrethroids are used as an environmental friendly substitute of organophosphate and organochlorine insecticides. Pesticide pollution in the coastal ecosystem of Korea is considered to be a cause of slow growth and prevalence of diseases in commercial fishes. Therefore, it is necessary to develop fast techniques to detect insecticide toxicities. In the present work the results of rapid and inexpensive laboratory experiments show the patho‐physiological alteration of blood parameters to sublethal concentration of pyrethroid insecticide (cypermethrin) in the commercially important Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Cypermethrin‐exposed fish showed erythropenia, low haematocrit and haemoglobin content and hyperglycemia, especially for long‐term exposure at high concentrations. Cypermethrin caused increased levels of serum glutamic‐acid‐oxylacetic‐acid‐transaminase, glutamic‐acid‐pyruvic‐acid‐transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, concomitant with a decreased concentration of chloride ion and blood serum osmolality, indicating the disruptive activity of cypermethrin after 8 weeks exposure. Moreover, reduced level of serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol, lysozyme activity and significantly higher level of glucose, bilirubin and malondialdehyde were measured and attributed to an increased demand for energy by fish under stress to cope with detrimental conditions imposed by chronic exposure to the toxicant.