Abstract
Expansion in technology, development in industries and extensive applications of
synthetic chemical have become major regulatory issues toward the public health,
wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the monitoring and investigation of
environmental contaminants in order to mitigate the adverse impacts is crucial to save
public health and aquatic wildlife. The present study describes the deleterious effects
of heavy metals at low levels in fresh water fish. A total of 120 fish of same age and
body mass were arbitrarily distributed and allocated into eight groups (A-H). Group A
was run parallel to other groups and maintained as control group. Collected data was
analyzed by using Tukey’s Test. Results indicated various clinical ailments including
erratic swimming and jerking movement. Microscopic observation of gills, liver and
brain tissues showed different histopathological changes in fish exposed to various
heavy metals. The antioxidant enzymes activities were increased or decreased in a
concentration and enzyme dependent manner. Exposure of treatments showed
significant increase in peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase but decreased catalase
and superoxide dismutase activity at higher exposure to heavy metals. Regarding
overall toxicity, nickel was least sensitive towards the fish, but tertiary metal mixture was
more toxic to fish (Oreochromis niloticus) followed by binary mixture. In conclusion,
results of our study suggested that the exposure to different heavy metals even at low
concentrations poses serious concern towards their potential danger to the survival and
growth of fish and induces deleterious effects in gills, brain and liver tissues.
Tuba Rehman, Saima Naz, Riaz Hussain, Ahmad Manan Mustafa Chatha, Fayyaz Ahmad, Asma Yamin, Rabia Akram, Huma Naz, Ansar Shaheen. (2021) Exposure to heavy metals causes histopathological changes and alters antioxidant enzymes in fresh water fish (Oreochromis niloticus), Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume-09, Issue-1.
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