Effects of cadmium chloride on oxygen consumption and gill morphology of Indian flying barb, Esomus danricus.

ABSTRACT

Effects of three sub lethal concentrations of cadmium chloride (0.636, 0.063 and 0.006 mg l-1) on oxygen consumption and gill morphology in Indian flying barb, Esomus danricus (Hamilton-Buchanan), a teleost fish, were studied. When compared to control, 0.636 mg l-1 of cadmium chloride after 7, 14, 21 and 28 day exposure showed a significant decline in rates of oxygen consumption at 32.98, 28.40, 23.88 and 21.69 ml hr-1 100g-1 of tissue, respectively; while, 0.063 mg l-1 of cadmium chloride for the same exposure durations showed a significant decline in rates of oxygen consumption at 34.28, 29.30, 28.05 and 26.47 ml hr-1 100g-1 of tissue, respectively. However, significant decline in the rate of oxygen consumption at 0.006 mg l-1 of cadmium chloride could be observed from 21st day of exposure. Gill tissue showed various histopathological changes including epithelial lifting, hyperplasia, mucous secretion, marked leucocyte infiltration in the epithelium after 28 days of cadmium chloride exposure.