Impacts of some herbicidies

Schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in the developing world. Biomplaraia alexandrina snails are the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni with wide spread distribution allover Egypt. Controlling of these snails by molluscicides is still one of the most promising means in the battle against this parasitic disease. In the present study, results indicated that the three herbicides (Amex 48%EC, Herphosate 48%SL and Stomp 50%EC) have molluscicidal effects on these snails and showed that stomp 50%EC is the most toxic herbicide than the other two. The three herbicides had a fast toxic effect against miracidia and cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni after 3 hrs of the exposure. Moreover, these agents recorded adverse impact on hatchability, survival and growth rates as well as egg laying capacity of the exposed B. alexandrina snails. Such effects were supported by the assessment of some biochemical, hematological parameters and also histological examinations for both the digestive and hermaphrodite glands. Also, these herbicides have genotoxic effects that can be transmitted to progeny.