A STUDY ON HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE GONADS OF A FRESHWATER TELEOST FISH, A. MOLA EXPOSED TO THE HEAVY METALS (original) (raw)

The industrial effluents once released in to the water give way to a chain of happening and the resultant effect is felt on humans, aquatic life and on the riverine ecosystem. Polluted waters not only pose a threat to the aquatic species inhabiting in them but also to humans who often come in contact with the water either directly or indirectly by consuming fish. Every chemical released into ecosystem has the potential of getting in to the human diet food chain and for most people; diet is the primary means of exposure to environmental contaminants. In the present investigation A. mola. were exposed to chronic treatment up to 21 days (LC50/10 values of 96 hours ) of heavy metals i.e. Mercuric chloride (0.04583 ppm.), Arsenic trioxide (0.2911 ppm.) and Cadmium chloride (0.6279 ppm.). The treated A. mola showed profound reduction in the size of the gonads and extensive destruction of the germinal elements in both the sexes. The mature stages were very largely destroyed while the earlier stages, particularly in the testis, underwent extensive atrophy at the chronic concentrations. An identical arrest of spermatogenesis was also observed, Severe damage in comparison in 21 days exposure indicate that damage in the gonads was indirectly related to dose and duration of treatment. Key words: Heavy metals, histopathology, Gonads changes, Amblypharyngodon mola.