Heavy metal induced histopathological alterations in liver, muscle and kidney of freshwater cyprinid, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Abstract

In the present investigation, adult live specimens of edible freshwater cyprinid, Labeo rohita were procured from local fish market at Hambran road, Ludhiana, Punjab from December 2016 to June 2017 and various fish tissues (liver, muscle and kidney) were processed for heavy metal estimation and histopathological studies. The observations on histopathology included several hepatic lesions viz. cytoplasmic degeneration, severe necrosis, melano-macrophage centres, infiltration of leukocytes, pyknosis and nuclear degeneration. Shortening and elongation of muscle bundles were well-marked in muscle tissue. Renal alterations included edema, irregular diameters, degeneration and atrophy of renal tubules. The results reflected that the content of toxic heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, cadmium, manganese and lead), which were beyond the permissible limits (WHO/FAO), might have led to variations in histo-architecture of vital organs i.e. liver and kidney. However, the content of chromium and manganese exceeded the prescribed limits in muscle tissue which might have caused the histological alterations.