Abstract
The objective of the current study was to determine the toxicological effects of acute cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) exposure
on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of major carp, Catla catla. The experimental group of fish were exposed
to Cd and Cu for 24-, 48-, 72- and 96-hr. The hematological analysis of exposed fish at all exposure durations exhibited
significant decrease in red blood cells count, hemoglobin and hematocrit content while marked elevation in white blood cells
count, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration was recorded in comparison to
control. Among serum biochemical parameters, the level of sodium, chloride, albumin and total protein was lower at all
exposure durations of metals. However, potassium, urea, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase
levels were noticeably higher in serum of treated fish. Results also indicated that Cu has more toxic effects on hematological
and serum biochemical parameters than Cd. This study proposed that the occurrence of toxic metals in aquatic environment
has significant impact on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters in C. catla. The observed changes in these
parameters may provide valuable information for further concerning environmental conditions and risk assessment of aquatic
organisms
