Bioaccumulation of lead and its effects on growth performance and some haematological aspects of carp, Cyprinus carpio

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess lead bioaccumulation and its effects on growth performance and some haematological aspects of carp, Cyprinus carpio to elucidate the mode and site of lead toxicity. Fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of lead [21.0, 42.0 micro g/L] for 49 days exhibited a significant changes in growth performance as measured by total weight gain, feed utilization and body composition. Lead has been also showed to cause anaemia in fish with changes in the activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine. Changes in plasma glucose levels and sodium ions were insignificant. On the other hand, lead was selectively accumulated in tissues and organs of carp. It was greatly accumulated in the spleen followed by the brain, kidney, liver, gills and flesh. The accumulation of lead by tissues induced a disturbance in the deposition and distribution of calcium and iron elements