Some pharmacological and toxicological studies on the effects of organophosphorus compound (dicrotophos) on fresh water fish (Clarias Lazera)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects and toxicity of the organophosphorus compound; dicrotophos in freshwater cat fish (Clarias lazera). Special attention hss been focused on its possible effects on bothserum and brain choline esterase level.Experiments performed on the isolated intest- inal smooth muscles revealed a dose dependent stimulatory effect of dicrotophos on the intesti-nal motility of the first, middle and last parts of isolated fish intestine. Our data revealed that the middle part was the most responsive to the stimulatory activity of dicrotophos. Itstimulated in a dose dependent manner the motility of the isolated fish stomach. whereas, the drugelicited a dose related inhibition of the force of contractions of the isolated fish heart.Dicrotophos was found to stimulate in a dose