Effects of Lead on Reproduction Physiology and Liver and Gonad Histology of Male Cyprinus carpio.

Sera 17ß-estradiol (E2), 11-ketotesteron (11-KT) and 17,20-ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20ßP) levels and hepatosomatic-gonadosomatic indexes (HSI-GSI) were determined after exposing male C. carpio to 0.13 and 0.26 mg L-1 lead after 7, 14 and 21 days. Histological changes in liver and gonad tissues of male C. carpio were also determined. Sera E2, 11-KT and 17,20ßP levels of male fish although showed differences from the control fish, these differences were not statistically significant. This was also true for the HSI values, the GSI values however, decreased on day 7 under the effect of 0.26 mg L-1 Pb. Dilatation in bile duct and sinusoids and lymphocyte infiltration were observed under histopathological examination. Low intensities of fibrosis were detected in testis tissues. Exposure to low concentrations of Pb did not cause endocrine disrupting and extensive histopathologic effects in C. carpio at the exposure periods tested.

The effects of the neurotoxic agent emamectin benzoate on the expression of immune and stress-related genes and blood serum profiles in the Rainbow trout.

Emamectin, a neurotoxic agent, is a semi-synthetic insecticide that belongs to the Avermectin family and is used against helmintic infections in the Salmonidae family. Its secondary effects are not clear; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the only effects of emamectin benzoate on various biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, GGT, total protein, albumin and glucose) in serum and expressional changes of IL-1ß, TNF-α, HSP70 and IL-8 in liver and spleen. For the purpose stated above, rainbow trout (n = 15) were administered 50 µg EB per kg fish daily for 7, 14 and 21 days. The results indicated that weight gains did not change (p > 0.05), AST increased at day 21 (p < 0.05), while the changes of other biochemical parameters were not significant (p > 0.05). The changes in expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and HSP70 were significant (p < 0.05), while the changes of IL-8 expressions were not significant (p ˃ 0.05). In a conclusion, EB changed immun and stress-related gene expression in liver and spleen, and furthermore, AST changed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The results imply that emamectin benzoate cause stress. This study is helpful to understand the effects of avermectin pharmaceutical family.

Effects of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and on Tissue Accumulation of Oreochromis niloticus.

Accumulation of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in gill, liver and muscle tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and its effects on superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in gill and liver tissues were studied after exposing the fish to 20 µg/L Cu over 15 days. Copper levels and enzyme activities in tissues were determined using spectrophotometric (ICP-AES and UV) techniques respectively. No mortality was observed during the experiments. Copper levels increased in gill and liver tissues of O. niloticus compared to control when exposed to CuO NPs whereas exposure to metal had no effect on muscle level at the end of the exposure period. Highest accumulation of copper was observed in liver while no accumulation was detected in muscle tissue. SOD, CAT activities decreased and GPx activity increased in gill and liver tissues when exposed to CuO NPs.

Accumulation of Copper in Gill, Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Muscle Tissues of Clarias gariepinus Exposed to the Metal Singly and in Mixture with Chitosan.

Accumulation of copper (Cu), applied singly and in mixture with chitosan (CT), in gill, liver, spleen, kidney and muscle tissues of Clarias gariepinus was studied after exposing the fish to no Cu (control), 5 ppm Cu, 5 ppm Cu + 75 ppm CT mixture over 1, 7 and 15 days. Metal levels in tissues were determined using an ICP-AES spectrophotometer. No mortality was observed during the experiments. Highest accumulation of Cu was observed in liver while lowest accumulation was observed in muscle tissue. Exposure to Cu-CT mixture decreased Cu accumulation in liver at all exposure periods and in kidney on the 15th day compared to Cu alone. Exposure to Cu alone and Cu-CT mixture had no effect on Cu accumulation in spleen or muscle tissue. Copper accumulation increased in gill tissue compared to control when exposed to Cu alone at all exposure periods, and exposure to the Cu-CT mixture significantly increased Cu accumulation in this tissue at all exposure periods compared to Cu alone.