EVALUATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN FISH, SPOTTED SCAT (S. ARGUS) EXPOSED TO DIAZINON POLLUTION

Diazinon [O,O-diethyl O-(2-isopropyl-6- methylpyrimdin-4-yl) phosphorothioate], is an organophosphate pesticide that is being used extensively in agriculture, especially in rice fields for pest control purposes [6]. Due to the industrialization and optimization of agriculture, the use of pesticides, especially the organophosphate insecticide diazinon, has increased during the past decade around the Persian Gulf. Fish have been often used as appropriate bioindicators of chemical contaminants [7]. Thisstudy investigated the effect of a short-term exposure to sub-lethal concentration of diazinon on cortisol, electrolyte and glucose levels in plasma and tissue histopathology in spotted scat (S.argus).