Biological parameters of a silurid catfish Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) from River Ghaghara, India.

The present study examined a total of 446 samples of Ompok bimaculatus and describes the condition factor, gonadosomatic index, length-length relationships, sex ratio, size at first maturity. The regression parameter 'b' ranged from 3.06 to 3.76 (r2 > 0.90). During the pre-monsoon, the allometric coefficient 'b' of the LWR was close to isometric value (b = 3.06) while that of overall was positive allometric (b = 3.31) although it suggested positive allometric growth in monsoon (b = 3.21), and post-monsoon (b = 3.76), periods. The values of condition factor ranged from 0.524 to 0.573. In the study, sex ratio ranged from 1:1.03 to 1:1.3. Males ranged from 14.0-26.6 cm while females varied from 11.2-29.0 cm in length. A significant difference in length at 50% maturity (p < 0.05) was found between both the sexes. First maturity stages in males and females were 22.3 cm and 23.2 cm, respectively. The smallest mature female was 22.0 cm L; the largest immature female was 26.8 cm L. The smallest mature male was 20.0 cm L; the largest immature male was 24.5 cm L. The results of the study could be useful to help in sustainable fisheries management in the Ghaghara River.

Amelioration effects against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Swiss albino rats by whole plant extract of Achyranthes aspera.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of oxidative stress may be implicated in the etiology of many pathological conditions. Protective antioxidant action imparted by many plant extracts and plant products make them a promising therapeutic drug for free-radical-induced pathologies. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant potential and suppressive effects of Achyranthes aspera by evaluating the hepatic diagnostic markers on chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vivo model of hepatocarcinogenesis was studied in Swiss albino rats. Experimental rats were divided into five groups: control, positive control (NDEA and CCl(4)), A. aspera treated (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w.). At 20 weeks after the administration of NDEA and CCl(4), treated rats received A. aspera extract (AAE) at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg once daily route. At the end of 24 weeks, the liver and relative liver weight and body weight were estimated. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assayed. The hepatic diagnostic markers namely serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (AST), serum glutamic pyruvate transminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and bilirubin (BL) were also assayed, and the histopathological studies were investigated in control, positive control, and experimental groups. RESULTS: The extract did not show acute toxicity and the per se effect of the extract showed decrease in LPO, demonstrating antioxidant potential and furthermore no change in the hepatic diagnosis markers was observed. Administration of AAE suppressed hepatic diagnostic and oxidative stress markers as revealed by decrease in NDEA and CCl(4) -induced elevated levels of SGPT, SGOT, SALP, GGT, bilirubin, and LPO. There was also a significant elevation in the levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GSH as observed after AAE treatment. The liver and relative liver weight were decreased after treatment with AAE in comparison to positive control group. The architecture of hepatic tissue was normalized upon treatment with extract at different dose graded at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. b.w. in comparison to positive control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A. aspera significantly alleviate hepatic diagnostic and oxidative stress markers which signify its protective effect against NDEA and CCl(4)-induced two-stage hepatocarcinogenesis.

Impact of copper on haematological profile of freshwater fish, Channa punctatus.

The present study was to evaluate heavy metal toxicity stress symptoms in fish blood during long-term exposure of sublethal concentration of copper sulphate (CuSO4). The effects of copper on various heamatological parameters were evaluated exposing Indian fresh water fish, Channa punctatus to a sub-lethal concentration of copper sulphate (0.36 mg l(-1)) for different periods. Exposure of fish to copper showed a significant decrease in the haemoglobin (Hb) content from 10.73 to 6.60%, red blood cells (RBC) from 2.86 to 1.84 x 10(6)/mm3 and packed cell volume (PCV) from 31.00 to 23.33% at the end of 45th day as compared to control. Whereas the white blood cells (WBC) increased from 60.00 to 92.48 x10(3)/mm3, clotting time (CT) from 27.66 to 43.00 second, erythrocyte sedimentation rate from 5.0 to 13.66 mm/hr and mean corpuscular volume from 108.11 to 126.85 cmu, significantly, with increase in exposure periods. Although mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values showed significant increase during 15 and 30 days exposures, both the values were found significantly increased at the end of the experimental period. The differential leucocytes count (DLC) showed a significant increase in the populations of lymphocytes and eosinophils, whereas neutrophils, monocytes and basophiles were found decreased after exposure to copper.

Histopathological changes in testis of the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) exposed to linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS).

The objective of this study was to use the freshwater food fish, Heteropneustes fossilis, as a model to evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of LAS on the testicular structure through short-term static bioassays. Concentration mediated histopathological leisions were observed in testis of H. fossilis, treated with four different concentrations of LAS for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr Inference drawn from the study is that the cytotoxic damage is more pronounced in fish exposed to higher concentrations of LAS for shorter durations than lower concentrations of LAS for longer durations. Gross damage of germinal epithelium, inflammatory response, intertubular vacuolations and contraction and condensation in the cells of tubules under all sets of intoxication and exposures are quite suggestive of reproductive impairment leading to delayed gonadal maturity.

Evaluation of genotoxic potential of chromium (VI) in Channa punctata fish in terms of chromosomal aberrations.

Chromium, a widely recognized carcinogenic, mutagenic and redox active metal, is released into aquatic environments by electroplating, tannery and textile industries. Elevated concentrations in sediments and interstitial waters are well documented. Fishes dwelling in chromium waste infested waters are presumed to be affected by its deposits. To evaluate the genotoxic potential of chromium [Cr(VI)] on aquatic bio-system, bottom feeding fishes, Channa punctata, as model fish, were exposed to [Cr(VI)]. The chromosomal aberration test (CAT) was used as biomarker of [Cr(VI)] induced toxicity. The fish were divided into three groups:Group I non-treated controls; group II positive controls, treated with an intra-muscular injection of mitomycin-C at 1 mg/kg body wt; group III exposed to a sublethal concentration (7.689 mg/l) of [Cr(VI)], dissolved in the water. For CAT estimation, short term static bioassays were conducted and samples were collected from the kidneys of fish after 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 hrs of exposure. The remarkable chromosomal aberrations recorded in the present investigation included chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, chromatid deletions, fragments, acentric fragments, and ring and di-centric chromosomes, along with chromatid and chromosome gaps. A significant increase in chromosomal aberrations was observed after 72 hrs of [Cr(VI)] exposure. The present study, thus reveals that even for acute exposure, [Cr(VI)] is a genotoxic agent for C. punctata.

Haematotoxic effect of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) in fish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

It was observed that clotting time decreased with the increased concentrations of LAS. However, the decrease was more pronounced at LC50 for 24 h and at the end of 96 h LC50, it was very close to control values.

Effect of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate on erythrocyte sedimentation rate of teleost fish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

ESR increased at all concentrations and exposures to LAS. However, increases were more pronounced at LC50 for 24 h and minimum at the end of 96 h.

The role of glucocorticoid pulse therapy in pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study discusses incidence and clinical profile of pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis in South Gujarat. It also tries to evaluate the effect of high dose glucocorticoid pulse therapy (GPT) on it. METHOD: A study was carried out on hundred and two patients of suspected leptospirosis, referred to Government Medical College, New Civil Hospital, Surat between June 99 to September 99. The incidence, clinical profile, and specific investigations were studied in patients having pulmonary involvement. Some of the patients were given high dose glucocorticoid pulse therapy. Their outcomes were compared with those who had not been given glucocorticoid pulse therapy. RESULTS: Out of seventy seven seropositive patients 13 (16.8%) developed pulmonary involvement. Mortality was two out of eight patients in the group that received GPT and four out of five patients in the group that did not receive GPT. Two patients who died in the steroid treated group received the drug after 12 hours of onset of dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: High dose GPT should be given as early as possible after the onset of dyspnea to all the patients with pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis. Further studies are required to establish the GPT as a standard regimen in treatment of pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis.

Impact of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) on phosphatase activity in testis of the teleostean fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

Fishes are sensitive indicators of pollutants present in water.These pollutants cause various physical and physiological alterations in fishes. In the present work alteration in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in testicular tissue of fresh water fish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to LC50 value of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) for different exposure periods [24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h] With increase in the concentration of chemical LAS, the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) was reported elevated while a significant fall in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ACP) was recorded for same exposure period. Elevated activity of ACP, one of the important hydrolases of lysosomes, is quite suggestive of bringing about gross necrosis and dysarchitecture. ALP is involved in various metabolic activities including gonadal maturation and as such decreased activity of this enzyme is definitely one of the important causative factors for reproductive impairment of the fish.

Evaluation of hematotoxic effects of two commonly used fertilizers, diammonium phosphate and urea, on fish Clarias batrachus.

The effects of two commonly used fertilizers, diammonium phosphate and urea, on hematological parameters (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and total leucocyte count) of fresh water fish Clarias batrachus were studied. The toxic effect of diammonium phosphate was more pronounced than that of urea. The toxic effect of diammonium phosphate resulted in a sudden fall of hematological parameters--Hb, RBC count, Hct--at higher concentrations, and at lower concentrations gradual decreases were seen over comparatively longer durations. In urea intoxication, slight decreases in the three parameters were seen at lower concentrations during shorter intervals, while at higher concentrations, significant decreases during shorter intervals were observed. Total leucocyte count (TLC) increased during toxicity with both fertilizers, but higher elevations in TLC were produced by diammonium phosphate than by urea.