Changes in serum biochemistry of fish, Catla catla in response to metal toxicity

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the effect of heavy metals i.e. nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) on the serum biochemical parameters of Catla catla. The fish were exposed to lethal concentrations (96-hr LC50) of selected metals. The studied serum biochemical parameters were sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), albumin (Alb), urea (U), glucose (Glu), aspartate aminotransferase (Ast) and alanine aminotransferase (Alt). Results revealed a decrease in Na, Cl and Alb levels of metal exposed fish at all exposure periods as compared to control. However, an increase in K, U, Glu, Ast and Alt levels was observed in the metal exposed fish. All the biochemical parameters showed significant dependence on exposure durations in both treated fish except Na and Alb in Zn treated fish. This study indicated that the alterations in serum biochemical parameters may be the result of the target tissue damage and dysfunction induced by the metal and that these parameters can thus be used to assess the toxic effects of metals on organisms.