Antioxidant enzymes activity during acute toxicity cadmium to fish

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to determine the acute toxicity of cadmium (Cd) on two fish species, namely Catla Catla. The study involved conducting 96-hour LC₅₀ and lethal concentration tests, after which the fish were dissected and their organs, including gills, kidney, and liver, were analyzed for antioxidant enzyme activity. The results indicated that Cd was significantly more toxic with mean 96-hr LC₅₀ values of 64.21 ±11.24 and 170.39 ± 40.69 for fish species, respectively. Furthermore, the study found that Catla Catla was less sensitive to the toxic effects of Cd. The study also observed an increase in superoxide dismutase activity with an increase in metallic ion concentration in the test media for both fish species. In contrast, the activity of catalase and peroxidase decreased with an increase in metallic ion concentration in the test media. The control group, which was not subjected to metal stress, showed the highest activity of catalase and peroxidase. The accumulation of Cd in fish organs was significantly higher in the liver, followed by the kidney, gills, fins, skin, muscle, and bones. The results were consistent for both fish species, with Catla Catla showing a similar trend in metal accumulation as Catla Catla. The order of metal accumulation in fish organs was liver>kidney>gills>fins>skin>muscle>bones for both fish species.