Anaemia and plasma lipid profile in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to ambient copper sulphate and nano-scale copper oxide

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of copper sulphate (CS) and copper oxide nanoparticles (NCuO) on haematological characteristics and plasma lipid profile in Cyprinus carpio. Fish were exposed to CS (0.25 mg L−1 Cu) and NCuO [0.25 (LNP) and 25 mg L−1 (HNP) Cu] for 14 days. CS and LNP treatments showed hypochromic anaemia after 3 and 7 days, and macrocytosis and haemolytic anaemia after 14 days. HNP treatment showed hypochromic anaemia and polycythemia after 3 days, and macrocytosis and hypochromic anaemia after 7 days and haemolytic hypochromic anaemia after 14 days. All copper-exposed fish showed leukopenia at all times, except for HNP after 7 days and CS after 3 days. CS treatment at all times, and NCuO treatments after 14 days showed elevated plasma bilirubin. CS (3rd and 7th days) and HNP (3rd day) treatments had significantly higher plasma triglyceride compared to the control. Significant increases in plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels were observed after 3 and 14 days in CS, and after 14 days in LNP treatment; whereas HNP treatment had significantly higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels after 3 days, and cholesterol, HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after 14 days. In conclusion, CS and NCuO induce anaemia probably due to iron metabolism disorder and RBC destruction in carp. CS and NCuO (at high concentration) alter plasma lipid profile, which may be due to stress-induced lipolysis and hepatobiliary damages. At similar concentrations, copper nanoparticles are less toxic to carp than copper ions.