Title:Pathological and Biochemical Index Changes in Different Tissues of Cyprinus carpio Exposed to Cadmium
Volume: 1
Issue: 6
Author(s): Guilan Di, Yanfei Li, Hui Li and Xinhua Chen*
Affiliation:
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002,China
Keywords:
cadmium, Cyprinus carpio, histopathological analyses, liver, kidney, gill, phosphatase, lysozyme.
Abstract:
Background: Cadmium (Cd) is among the most toxic metals and is widely distributed in
aquatic environments.
Objective: Histopathological lesions and biochemical indices can be used to reflect the toxic effects
of cadmium in fish target organs.
Methods: In the present study, the common carp Cyprinus carpio was exposed to 0.5 mg/L of CdCl2
for 21 days. Histopathological analyses were performed in the spleen, liver, kidney, gills and head
kidney tissues of C. carpio, and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and observed
under an optical microscope. The acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lysozyme activities
were determined.
Results: The results showed that there were various pathological changes in five major tissues of C.
carpio. The kidney, gills, and liver were the most affected organs during cadmium exposure, and
deformation and disorganization of epithelial cells, vacuolization formation, serious hemorrhages
and necrosis were also observed. In addition, 0.5 mg/L cadmium exposure significantly increased
serum lysozyme and acid phosphatase activities and inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity. The
present study showed that cadmium stress causes significant pathological tissue changes and influences
lysozyme, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities in C. carpio. Acid phosphatase
and lysozyme activities are sensitive to cadmium.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the toxicity of cadmium caused varying degrees of pathological and biochemical
changes in fish tissues in C. carpio.
