Hematological and histological alterations detected in striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) exposed to acute copper concentrations

Abstract

In this study, to examine hematological and histological alterations, striped catfish exposed to 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg L-1 copper concentrations for 48 hours. After that, four fish were selected per aquarium. First 24 and second 24 h, blood samples were taken. And then, their gills, liver, kidney, and spleen samples were collected. The blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit, hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, MCHC, MCH and MCV. The tissue samples stained with standart tecnique of haematoxylin and eosin for histological assessment. Copper depending on concentrations increase caused some important hematological and histological alterations on striped catfish. Number of erythroryte, hematocrit and hemoglobin of striped catfish exposed to ≥ 2.5 mg L-1 of Cu concentrations increased in 48 h. Within first 24 h ≥ 2.5 mg L-1 of Cu caused edema, hyperplasia and fusion in gills. After 48 h, ≥ 2.5 mg L-1 of Cu formed very intense hyperplasia and degeneration of cartilage and epithelium tissue in the gills. Pyknotic nuclei and degenation in liver; necrosis and increase number of hemosterin clustering in spleen; degeneration of renal tubules and black spots in kidney were seen. As a result of that, ≥ 2.5 mg L-1 of Cu caused high mortality and histological disorders within 48 h.