Response and Recovery of Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Exposed to Fenitrothion

Abstract

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were exposed to a number of concentrations of either technical grade fenitrothion or an operational formulation of the pesticide for 7 d or to the operational formulation for two, 24 h periods separated by 7 d. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity decreased as concentration, of fenitrothion increased. Recovery period was directly related to amount of depression, with recovery of AChE from exposure to 0.004 μL/L fenitrothion taking less than 1 wk. Samples must be taken soon after spray operations to detect exposure to such low levels of fenitrothion through AChE monitoring.