Phenol is an aromatic chemical commonly found in domestic and industrial effluents that represents a worldwide concern in toxicology. When it reaches aquatic environments, significant damage in fishes is observed. The first aim of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity levels of phenol in Ictalurus punctatus and Piaractus mesopotamicus. The second objective was to evaluate the hematological parameters of I. punctatus and P. mesopotamicus after 96 hours exposure to sublethal concentration of phenol (10% of 96-hour LC 50) and after post-exposure recovery period of 7 days. The main hypothesis of the study was that even sublethal phenol concentration could cause hematological alterations in fish. For 96-hour LC 50 tests, both fish species were exposed to several phenol concentrations (in the range between 5 and 50 mg L-1) and the mortality were recorded after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Phenol was notably more toxic to I. punctatus than P. mesopotamicus and the 96-hour LC 50 values were 15.08 and 32.56 mg L-1 , respectively. Sublethal exposure to phenol in P. mesopotamicus resulted in significant higher hematocrit level (Ht), hemoglobin content (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC) in comparison with control group. In I. punctatus, Ht, Hb and RBC remained constant after 96-hour sublethal exposure. However, after the recovery period of 7 days a significant increase of RBC followed by reduction in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were observed in I. punctatus. The sublethal responses to phenol revealed erythropoeisis in I. punctatus and respiratory distress in P. mesopotamicus. P. mesopotamicus presented excessive skin and gills mucus throughout the 96-hour LC 50 tests. Acute toxicity tests and hematological responses after exposure to sublethal phenol concentration could be successfully used as a biomarker of stress in fish and may be applicable to investigate others toxic agents.

Metabolic adjustments were studied in channel catfi sh Ictalurus punctatus exposed to 1.5 mg L -1 of phenol (10% LC50) for four days and recovered for seven days. Lower triacylglycerol (TGA) stores and increased muscle fat free acids (FFA) suggest fat catabolism in muscle. Remarkable liver FFA decrease (-31%) suggests liver fat catabolism as well. Increased muscular ammonia levels and ASAT (aspartate aminotransferase) and decreased plasma aminoacids suggest higher muscular amino acid uptake. Constant levels of glucose and increased liver glycogen stores, associated with lower amino acids in plasma, indicate gluconeogenesis from amino acids. This is supported by higher hepatic ALAT and ASAT. Higher hepatic LDH followed by lower plasma lactate may indicate that plasma lactate was also used as gluconeogenic substrate. Biochemical alterations were exacerbated during the post-exposure recovery period. Reduction in muscle and plasma protein content indicate proteolysis. A higher rate of liver fat catabolism was resulted from a remarkable decrease in hepatic TGA (-58%). Catabolic preference for lipids was observed in order to supply such elevated energy demand. This study is the fi rst insight about the metabolic profi le of I. punctatus to cope with phenol plus its ability to recover, bringing attention to the biological consequences of environmental contamination.