Short-Term Exposure to Tebuconazole Triggers Haematological, Histological and Biochemical Disturbances in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)


Er A.

TOXICS, cilt.13, sa.8, ss.1-14, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 8
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/toxics13080630
  • Dergi Adı: TOXICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Pollution Abstracts, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-14
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

ebuconazole (TBZ), a triazole-class fungicide widely used in agriculture, is frequently detected in aquatic environments due to runoff and leaching, where it poses a threat to non-target aquatic organisms. This study investigates the acute toxicity of TBZ on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a commercially important cold-water fish species. The 96 h LC50 value was determined to be 9.05 mg/L using probit analysis. In addition to mortality, the physiological responses of fish exposed to both LC50 and maximum tolerance concentration (MTC; 6 mg/L) were evaluated through haematological and histological assessments. TBZ exposure significantly suppressed key haematological parameters, particularly WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, and LYM, indicating immunosuppression and potential hypoxia. Histological examination revealed progressive and regressive damage in gill tissues, including epithelial lifting, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy, which were more severe in the LC50 group. These alterations were quantified using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Additionally, significant changes in biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, creatinine, total protein, and glucose levels were observed, further indicating hepatic and renal dysfunctions induced by TBZ exposure. The findings demonstrate that TBZ exposure induces substantial physiological and structural impairments in rainbow trout, highlighting the importance of assessing the ecological risks of fungicide contamination in aquatic environments. The study also provides a dose–response model that can be used to estimate mortality risk in aquaculture operations exposed to TBZ.