Abstract

CURATIVE ROLE OF ASCORBIC ACID ON CADMIUM TOXICITY INDUCED IN GILLS OF THE FRESHWATER CATFISH, HETEROPNUESTES FOSSILIS (BLOCH)

Shruti Kumari and K. D. Ahirrao*

Abstract

This study reports the protective effect of ascorbic acid on cadmium induced to pathological Change in gills of the freshwater catfish, Heteropnuestes fossilis. Exposure of the fish to 16.14 mg/l sub lethal concentration of cadmium for 30 days induced fusion of secondary lamellae, aneurysm, curling of lamellae, hypertrophied secondary lamellae, congestion, increased number of mucous cells, autolysis of epithelial lining and disorganization and disintegration of pillar cell system, extensive curling of lamella and loss of normal gills architecture induced by cadmium in gill of H. fossilis. However 16.14mg/l cadmium +1.25mg/l ascorbic acid exposed fish groups revealed signs of recovery of architecture and structure of primary lamella, secondary lamella and pillar cell restoration of normal number of mucous cells after ascorbic acid supplementation. Our study concludes that ascorbic acid have protective influence on cadmium toxicity.

Keywords: Heteropnuestes fossilis, Cadmium, Gills, Histopathology, Ascorbic acid.