Curative effect of Vitamin C on the Variation in Biochemical and Histopathological Parameters Induced by Copper Exposure in the Teleost Fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch,1792)

The biochemical and histopathological alterations in the blood and liver of the teleost fish, Anabas testudineus subjected to two sub-lethal concentrations of copper and the capacity of vitamin C to counteract the toxicity induced perturbations were investigated. The 96 hour LC 50 value of copper for A. testudineus was determined by Probit method and was found to be 1.74 mg/L. The blood and liver samples were collected from copper exposed and vitamin supplemented media on the 7,14,21and 28day of exposure. Copper exposure significantly increased (p˃0.0001) the activity of biomarkers of hepatotoxicity such as GOT (Glutamate oxalate transaminase) and GPT (Glutamate pyruvate transaminase) in serum and liver compared to vitamin supplemented fishes.The decrease in serum and liver protein of copper exposed fishes justifies increased energy demand due to copper induced oxidative stress. The liver of copper treated fish showed histopathological alterations such as degeneration of hepatocytes,cell necrosis, inflammation with sinusoid dilation,increased incidence of kupffer cells and vacuole formation. Vitamin administration was effective in improving the physiological and histological integrity in copper intoxicated fishes.The present study shows that copper is harmful to Anabas testudineus even at sub-lethal concentrations and it’s enrichment in water and sediment is a dangerous threat to aquatic life.