IMPACT OF HEAVY METAL, CHROMIUM ON GLYCOGEN CONTENTS IN GILL, LIVER AND KIDNEY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Channa striatus (BLOCH)

Abstract Fish is generally appreciated as one of the healthiest and cheapest source of protein and it has amino acid compositions that are higher in cysteine than most other sources of protein. Heavy metals are natural trace components of the aquatic environment but their levels have increased due to industrial wastes, geochemical structure, agricultural and mining activities. All these sources of pollution affect the physiochemical characteristics of the water, sediment and biological components and subsequently affect the quality and quantity of fish stocks. The chromium is present in the tannery effluent and is known to cause various ill effects. Such health hazards are dependent on the oxidation state of chromium. Its hexavalent form is more toxic than the trivalent form. The aim of the present study was to assess the glycogen contents in gill, liver and kidney of Channa striatus was exposed to sublethal concentrations of chromium for the period of 10, 20 and 30 days. The fish exposed to chromium showed a decreased the glycogen contents for 10, 20 and 30 days in gill, liver and kidney. The objective of the present investigation was to observe the effect of chromium on glycogen contents in the gill, liver and kidney of freshwater fish, Channa striatus.