Sublethal effects of malathion on behavior and hepatic gene expression of HSP70 and CYP1A in Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings

Mina Rahbar; Masoud Sattari; Hamid Alaf Noverian; Mohaddeseh Ahmadnezhad; Hossein Khara; Roghieh Safari

doi:10.22034/ijab.v13i3.2541

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Mina Rahbar Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
Masoud Sattari
msattari647@gmail.com
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
Hamid Alaf Noverian Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
Mohaddeseh Ahmadnezhad Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Anzali, Iran.
Hossein Khara Department of Fisheries, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
Roghieh Safari Department of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025): June

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June 25, 2025

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Malathion, an organophosphate pesticide widely used in agriculture, poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the sublethal effects of malathion on hepatic HSP70 and CYP1A gene expression in fingerling Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). Fish were exposed to 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg L?¹ malathion (corresponding to sublethal fractions of the LC??) for 7 days. Liver samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, and 7 days post-exposure, and gene expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Behavioral responses and mortality were recorded. No mortality occurred in any group; however, fish exposed to 0.2 mg L?¹ malathion exhibited reduced feeding, impaired swimming balance, and decreased activity, especially toward the end of exposure. HSP70 expression peaked on day 1 at the highest concentration (15.7-fold higher than the control) and then gradually declined. CYP1A expression showed a similar dose-dependent pattern, with the highest induction (19.29-fold) observed on day 4 in the 0.2 mg/L group. Heat map visualization confirmed temporal and dose-dependent expression dynamics. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.73, P<0.0001) between the expression levels of HSP70 and CYP1A suggested a coordinated stress response to malathion exposure. These results demonstrate malathion-induced modulation of oxidative stress and detoxification genes in Persian sturgeon, underscoring the utility of these molecular biomarkers for monitoring organophosphate pollution in aquatic species.

Rahbar, M., Sattari, M., Alaf Noverian, H., Ahmadnezhad, M., Khara, H., & Safari, R. (2025). Sublethal effects of malathion on behavior and hepatic gene expression of HSP70 and CYP1A in Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 13(3), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v13i3.2541

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