Evaluation of Genotoxic And Biochemical Stress Response To Mercuric Chloride In Erythrocytes of Freshwater Fish Channa Punctatus

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to evaluate health of fish, Channa punctatus inhabiting mercuric chloride. Acute toxicity bioassays were performed to calculate 96h LC50 value and it was found to be 1.38mg/L. Chronic toxicity assay to investigate genotoxic effects on the erythrocytes of fish by comet assay and micronucleus assay along with alterations in blood biochemistry were evaluated. Results showed concentration and duration dependent significant DNA damage as observed by comet assay and micronucleus assay. The frequency of nuclear aberrations along with appearance of micronuclei were observed after 30 and 60 days of exposure. The blood biochemistry was studied by recording changes in levels of various biochemical parameters in blood serum and results showed the significant (p < 0.05) variations among levels of biochemical constituents such as Glucose, Lipids, Proteins, Bilirubin, Urea, Creatinine, Cholesterol, ALP, Albumin, SGOT, SGPT and Total Glycerides. The resultsindicated the stress response of specimen towards toxicant. The present study highly recommends the use of genotoxicity and blood biochemical analysis as the useful biomarker to assess toxicity in the aquatic water and hence to safeguards the surrounding ecosystem.

Investigating the 96h LC<Sub>50</Sub> of Mercury and Cadmium on <i>Channa punctatus</i> (Bloch): A Comparative Acute Toxicity Bioassay

“…Chaudhary et al, 16 findings indicate that a sub-lethal exposure of cadmium (Cd) to C. punctatus over a 7-day period resulted in the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and inflammation, which was confirmed by the decreased expression of IL-10, and increased expression of NF-κΒ, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12. Similarly, the mercury induced genotoxic damage was showed by Gill et al, 17 where comet assay and micronucleus assay validated the duration, and concentration dependent DNA damage.…”