ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Sublethal Cadmium Exposure
on Hemato-Biochemical Parameters and
Tissue Accumulation in Wallagu attu
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1
Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, 66020, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan
2
Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir Lower, KPK, Pakistan
3
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University),
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
4
Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology,
Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India
5
Department of Applied Sciences-Chemistry, NIMS Institute of Engineering & Technology, NIMS University Rajasthan,
Jaipur, India
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Department of Allied Science, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal
7
Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
8
Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
9
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University,
P.O. Box 55760, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
10
Centre for Research on Fish Nutrition and Environmental Ecology of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
11
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci, n. 13, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Submission date: 2024-08-23
Final revision date: 2024-11-20
Acceptance date: 2025-01-29
Online publication date: 2025-03-26
Corresponding author
Saira Naz
Centre for Research on Fish Nutrition and Environmental Ecology of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Francesco Fazio
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Via Palatucci, n. 13, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
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ABSTRACT
This research investigates the effects of sublethal cadmium (Cd) exposure on Wallagu attu, focusing
on physiological impacts. Seventy fish, averaging 144.8±24 g, were divided into control and Cdexposed
groups (35 fish each) in 130 L fiberglass tanks. The Cd-treated group was exposed to one-third
of the lethal concentration (LC50) for 1, 20, and 40 days. The study assessed metal accumulation
and hemato-biochemical responses post-exposure. Results showed a significant increase in metal
accumulation in Cd-exposed fish, with the highest Cd levels in the kidneys, followed by the gills and
intestines. Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase activities significantly decreased in the Cd-treated
group, particularly on day 40. On days 20 and 40, Cd-exposed fish exhibited significant reductions
in red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total protein. Conversely, glucose and cortisol levels increased significantly with prolonged Cd exposure. No mortality was recorded up to day 20, but by day
40, the mortality rate reached 11.43%. This study underscores the significance of managing sublethal
Cd-induced stress to mitigate heavy metal impacts and protect aquatic ecosystems.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.