Acute toxicity of ammonia and its sub-lethal effects on selected haematological and enzymatic parameters of mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Abstract

A comprehensive acute toxicity trial was conducted using a static water system to study the toxic effect of ammonia on haematology and enzyme profiles of Cirrhinus mrigala H. The LC50 of total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) was 11.8 mg L−1 TAN (1.029 mg L−1 NH3‐N). The sub‐lethal test revealed that with increasing concentration of TAN, the total erythrocyte counts were reduced in lower concentrations (1–4 mg L−1 TAN) followed by higher levels in fish exposed to higher concentrations (8–16 mg L−1 TAN). In contrast, the total leucocyte counts were opposite. With increasing concentration of TAN, haemoglobin and serum protein content were reduced, whereas the blood glucose level increased. As the concentration of ammonia increased, there was a reduction in acetylecholinesterase activity in the brain and liver; alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum, brain and gill; and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in the gill. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the gill, liver, kidney and brain increased with increased concentration of ammonia. In addition, activities of ACP in the serum and brain, alanine aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill, and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill were increased.

Effect of Single Superphosphate Fertilizer on Survival and Respiratory Dynamics of Nile Tilapia, <I>Oreochromis Niloticus</I> (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

“…In addition, reduction in the activity levels of respiratory enzymes such as LDH and ADH and the depletion in the level of consumed oxygen could all have contributed to the observed behaviour and eventual mortality. This phenomenon was supported by the investigations of Lusková et al (2002) and Das et al (2004). Ceron et al (1997) had earlier reported a reduction in lactate concentration when fish were exposed to Diazinon at acute concentrations.…”

“…The decrease in oxygen consumption rate observed could have implication on the subsequent reduced LDH activity. The inhibition of these enzymes would result in the accumulation of metabolic intermediates in the liver therefore causing physiological stress in fish, which eventually lead to mortality if exposure is prolonged as suggested by Das et al (2004).…”

Transport of jundiá Rhamdia quelen juveniles at different loading densities: water quality and blood parameters

“…An increase in waterborne NH 3 concentration results in decreased diffusion, causing an increase in internal NH 3 that leads to re-establishment of the NH 4 + /NH 3 -equilibrium inside the fish. Das et al (2004) confirmed that a relatively small increase in waterborne NH 3 may cause a large increase in internal ammonia concentration, affecting some physiological functions, for instance diminishing the action of acetylcholinesterase in the brain and liver and reducing levels of hemoglobin and plasma proteins. As a consequence of the cumulative increase in plasma ammonia, some other physiological process could be disturbed, for example pH maintenance, electrolyte balance and general homeostasis (Tomasso, 1994).…”

“…The permeability of plasma membranes to uncharged and lipid-soluble NH 3 is higher than to NH 4 + ; therefore NH 3 is considered to be the most toxic form of ammonia (Das et al, 2004). An increase in waterborne NH 3 concentration results in decreased diffusion, causing an increase in internal NH 3 that leads to re-establishment of the NH 4 + /NH 3 -equilibrium inside the fish.…”

Histopathological effect of sub-lethal concentration of aluminum phosphide (phostoxin) on Clarias gariepinus juveniles

“…These contaminants which are obtained from the aquatic environment and food cover a wide spectrum of gases, chemicals and solids. Most toxicological studies have been limited to the effects of lethal or acute doses of these pollutants (Martinez & Souza 2002, Huertas et al 2002, Das et al 2004a, whereas, subtle physiological disorders result with exposure to sub-lethal/low doses of toxicants (Das et al 2004b,Varo et al 2007, Kori-Siakpere et al 2011. Various workers have reported histopathological changes in fish organs (e.g.…”