Cypermethrin induced histopathological alterations in female Gonad of Estuarine Clam, Katelysia opima (Gmelin)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cypermethrin on the microarchitecture of the gonad in female estuarine clam, Katelysia opima (Gmelin). This was a randomized controlled experiment. The experiment was carried out on the clams collected from Bhatye estuary of the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra state between February and May 2012. A total of 10 female estruarine clams of medium size 4.0 4.4 cm were selected. They were exposed to lethal (1.58 ppm) and sub-lethal (0.158 ppm) concentrations of cypermethrin for 4 (acute) and 30 (chronic) days, respectively. Sections of 5 to 6 m thickness were stained with Ehrlichs Haematoxylin and alcoholic Eosin stain. Micrographs of the stained sections were taken using a Trinocular research microscope. The histolopathological findings include partial disruption of ovarian follicle vacuolation of germinal cells cytoplasm and damaged interfollicular connective tissue. The cytomorphological structure of ovarian follicles got deformed and elongated, losing their typical configuration. Necrosis and fibrosis in the connective tissue and damage to yolk vesicles of maturing sites were observed. Chronic exposure to Cypermethrin showed remarkabke changes in the female gonad which were dose dependent. Cypermethrin has the potential to induce toxic effects on micro-architecture of female gonads