Effects of Butachlor on Density, Volume and Number of Abnormal Sperms in Caspian Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamenskii 1901)

Morphological assessment of sexually mature Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii 1901 caught from the rivers (Shirud, Khoshkrud, Sepidrud and Chelavand Rivers) flowing in the southwest Caspian Sea region was conducted and sperm volume, total sperm count and sperm concentration of abnormal sperms were determined after exposing the spawners to 60% herbicide butachlor (machete). Spawners under study were maintained in tanks (1000 L) at the Shahid Ansari Teleost Fish Hatchery and exposed to two different concentrations (25 and 75% of its LC sub(50) value) of butachlor. Results obtained indicate that exposure to high butachlor toxicity (75% of its LC sub(50) value) decreased sperm volume to 0.61c0.42 cc in 2-3 year old fishes and to 0.55c0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age, while that in fish exposed to low butachlor toxicity (25% of its LC sub(50) value) decreased to 1.55c0.42 cc in 2-3 year old fishes and to 1.28c0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age. The sperm volume under normal conditions in R. frisii kutum is 4.6c0.42 cc in 2-3 years old and 4.58c0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age. The total sperm count in R. frisii kutum is 39.74c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1) in 2-3 year old and 42.99c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1)in fishes above 3 years of age. When exposed to high butachlor toxicity, total sperm count dropped to 16.92c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1) in 2-3 year olds and to 15.98c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1) in fishes above 3 years of age. Similarly total sperm count in R. frisii kutum exposed to low butachlor toxicity was recorded as 23.6c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1) in 2-3 year olds and 29.4c2.5 billion spermatozoa cc super(-1) in fishes above 3 years of age. Under normal conditions, on the basis of morphology, spermatozoa showed only 10c1.92% of abnormal sperms. The number of abnormal sperms increased by 28.6c1.92% in fishes exposed to high butachlor toxicity, while that in fishes exposed to low butachlor toxicity increased by 19.7c1.92% in 2-3 year olds and 16.6c19.2% in fishes above 3 years of age. It is evident from the results obtained that increase in level of pollution caused a decrease in sperm volume but an increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms.