RESUMO
Oxytetracycline (OTC), an antibacterial agent, is extensively used in aquaculture practices all over the world. Despite its use, the toxicity of OTC to freshwater fish has been scarcely investigated. In this study, Labeo rohita were exposed to different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg L(-1)) of OTC. Based on the survival-to-mortality ratio, an 80 mg L(-1) concentration was selected for sublethal toxicity analysis. Fish were exposed to the above-mentioned concentration for a period of 25 days, during which fish were killed at the end of every 5 days to analyse certain hematological and enzymological parameters. During the exposure period, a mixed trend was observed in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cellular Hb, and mean cellular Hb concentration, whereas decreased red blood cell count and increased white blood cell was noted. A biphasic trend was observed in the enzymatic levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in the vital organs (gill, liver and muscle) of fish. The alterations of these parameters lead to the conclusion that these parameters may be used as biomarkers in monitoring OTC toxicity in aquaculture and fisheries farms.
