Copper toxicity in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): acute toxicity bioassay and oxidative stress response in gut and kidney

Abstract

Aquaculture intensification has resulted in serious disease outbreaks in largemouth bass production. Compounds containing copper (Cu) are widely used as therapeutic agents in aquaculture. Currently, Cu misuse has been a severe issue in largemouth bass farming. However, few investigations have been performed on Cu toxicity in largemouth bass so far. In this study, an acute and a chronic toxicity test was carried out to determine the toxicity and the recommended dose of waterborne Cu in largemouth bass. In the acute toxicity bioassay, fish (2.58 ± 0.03 g) were exposed to 0 (control), 3, 6, 9, 18, or 30 mg/L Cu, and the results showed that the 96-h LC50 of waterborne Cu was 12.78 mg/L. Then a 30-day chronic toxicity test containing six treatments (i.e., 0, 51.3, 164, 513, 1640, and 5130 μg/L Cu) was conducted to investigate the influence of Cu on intestinal and renal health in terms of oxidative stress in juvenile largemouth bass (2.69 ± 0.02 g). The results showed that Cu concentrations at and above 51.3 μg/L significantly increased the malondialdehyde contents (in the intestine) and simultaneously decreased total superoxide dismutase activity levels (in the intestine and kidney), glutathione peroxidase activity levels (in the kidney), and reduced glutathione contents (in the kidney), compared to control. In contrast to control, fish exposed to high Cu concentrations (at and above 1640 μg/L) demonstrated lower catalase activity levels in the intestine and kidney. Based on the findings in the study, waterborne Cu content for largemouth bass farming was recommended to be less than 51.3 μg/L.