Integrated biomarker response to assess the effects of pesticide residues on Nile Tilapia in aquatic ecosystems contaminated by cotton-field effluents

Nicresse Léa Guedegba, Imen Ben Ammar, Alexis Houndji, Ibrahim Imorou Toko, Lara Van De Merckt, Prudencio Tachégnon Agbohessi, Syaghalirwa N M Mandiki, Marie-Louise Scippo, Patrick Kestemont

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An in-situ study combined with an integrated biomarker response was used to evaluate the impact of agricultural effluents in the physiological responses of Nile tilapia reared in cages and enclosures of water reservoirs in North Benin. Fish were distributed in fish farming systems at two sites: Songhai located outside the cotton basin and Batran located in the most productive commune. They were sampled for blood and organs before (BST), during (DST) and after (AST) pesticide treatment. Pesticide residues were analysed in water, sediments and fish muscles. Several biomarkers were investigated related to the immune (peroxidase, lysozyme and complement activities, superoxide anion production) and reproductive (sex steroids and vitellogenin levels) responses as well as neurotoxicity (cholinesterase activity) and tissue alterations. Biomarkers were assessed and analysed via the integrated biomarker response (IBR). The results showed that Batran water reservoir was a more harmful ecosystem for fish than Songhai one, especially by depressing some immune and reproductive functions in relation to a higher-level of pesticide contamination. They also demonstrated that the contact of fish to sediments in enclosures aggravated the pesticide burden on fish. Therefore, using males as bioindicators would improve the sensitivity of the used biomarkers since males seemed more affected than females especially due to pesticide estrogenic induction impacting their reproductive system.

Original languageEnglish
Article number135407
Pages (from-to)135407
Number of pages1
JournalChemosphere
Volume305
Early online date19 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • Cages
  • Enclosures
  • In situ study
  • Nile tilapia
  • Pesticides

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Integrated biomarker response to assess the effects of pesticide residues on Nile Tilapia in aquatic ecosystems contaminated by cotton-field effluents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this