Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2009, Vol 9, Num, 2 (Pages: 191-200)
A Protective Effect of Calcium Carbonate Against Arsenic Toxicity of the Nile Catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Nassr-Allah H. Abdel-Hameid 1
1 Benha University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Benha, Egypt
DOI :
10.4194/trjfas.2009.0211
Viewed :
4083
-
Downloaded :
3730
The present study was intended to test the protective upshot of calcium carbonate against the gifted toxicity of arsenic
to the Nile cat-fish (Clarias gariepinus). Enhanced hepatosomatic index (HSI) and reduced gonadosomatic index (GSI) and
intestinal index (ISI) as well as some of the tested blood parameters were recorded for fishes down to arsenic spotlight. The
plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2), total bilirubin,
direct bilirubin, total lipids, glucose and total protein were significantly increased in fishes exposed to arsenic. Likewise, the
activities of AST, ALT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27), in the liver and muscle were radically increased,
whereas the total protein and glycogen contents in these organs were significantly abridged following arsenic exposure, this
may be an indication of energy expenditure attributable to arsenic toxicity. The histological examinations of the liver and
gills renowned arsenic induced degenerative changes of these organs. Furthermore, the addition of calcium carbonate as a
liming agent induces reversibility of most of these arsenic – induced changes, especially those of fishes subjected to 1/20
LC50 of arsenic. Consequently, calcium carbonate could be feasible to be used for the fortification of C. gariepinus in
opposition to arsenic toxicity.
Keywords :
Arsenic, Clarias gariepinus, sublethal concentrations, toxicity, calcium carbonate