Pyrethroids are synthetic analogues of natural pyrethrins and are used extensively in chemical formulations for pest control. Effects of sublethal exposure of cyfluthrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, on Channa striatus were observed for 30 days. Blood was collected from the control and exposed groups after 15 and 30 days and used for haematological studies. The results showed a significant decrease in total erythrocytic count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume and increase in total leucocyte count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in exposed groups. The study indicates a significant toxicological impact of cyfluthrin on experimental fish with marked changes in haematological parameters.
Keywords: Cyfluthrin, Pyrethroid, Channa striatus and Haematological parameters.