Abstract
The study investigated the changes in growth performance, hematological parameters, plasma components, and stress indicators of juvenile starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus, depending on varying exposure to hexavalent chromium. P. stellatus was exposed to waterborne chromium at 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppb for 4 weeks. The result showed that Cr exposure resulted in decreased daily length gain (DLG), daily weight gain (DWG), condition factor (CF), and hepatosomatic index (HIS) in P. stellatus. In terms of hematological parameters, red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (Ht), and hemoglobin (Hb) significantly decreased at 400 ppb after 2 weeks. In terms of plasma components, inorganic analysis was unchanged and cholesterol, an organic component, considerably increased at 400 ppb after 4 weeks. Plasma enzyme components including glutamic oxalate transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were significantly increased. Stress indicators such as cortisol and glucose were notably increased over 100 ppb after 4 weeks with increasing chromium concentration. The results indicate that exposure to waterborne Cr induced toxic effects on growth, hematological parameters, plasma components, and stress indicators.
Highlights
Fish are one of the most important food resources and are considered as sources of the primary protein worldwide
The daily length gain was considerably decreased at concentrations exceeding 400 ppb at 2 and 4 weeks, and the daily weight gain was significantly decreased over 400 ppb at 2 weeks, and over 200 ppb at 4 weeks
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that waterborne chromium exposure significantly affects the health of experimental starry flounders
Summary
Fish are one of the most important food resources and are considered as sources of the primary protein worldwide. Ongoing marine pollution increases the concentration of toxic metals in water and negatively affects fish health. These pollutants, which have a negative effect on fish, are released by agriculture, industrial wastewater discharge, raw sewage extraction, chemical waste, and oil spills due to fishing vessels (Velusamy et al 2014). Waterborne metal exposure affects the physiological and biochemical factors in fish blood and tissues. Trivalent chromium is toxic, and an important element in controlling blood sugar by enhancing insulin action in humans. Hexavalent chromium is highly reactive and a strong irritant; it is designated as a carcinogen (Krumschnabel and Nawaz 2004)
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