Histophysiological responses in ovary and liver of Cyprinus carpio after short term exposure to safe concentration of mercuric chloride and recovery pattern.

ABSTRACT

Effect of short term (7 days) exposure to safe concentration of HgCl2 (0.5 ppm) and changes 7 days after withdrawl of the treatment on histophysiology of ovary and liver in yearlings of Cyprinus carpio were assessed during active phase of reproductive cycle. Noticeable degenerative histophysiological changes were observed in both ovary and liver after exposure which were more prominent in the group with abnormal behaviour. After withdrawl of the HgCl2 treatment the recovery was apparent in both organs but was more appreciable in liver. These observations indicated that even safe concentration of HgCl2 might not be fully devoid of deleterious influence on reproductive functions in Cyprinus carpio.