Effect of ferrous sulphate on aspartate and alanine aminotransferases of brain of Tilapia mossambica

Iron in the form of ferrous sulphate coming from sources such as mines, writing inks, blue pigments, dyeing industries, photography, medicine, deodorizers, disinfectants, fungicides and molluscides, etc. contributes in elevating ferrous sulphate of water bodies. The present study investigated the action of ferrous sulphate on the local fish Tilapia mossambica. Tilapia exposed to 0.001 g/L ferrous sulphate for 30 days showed reduction of cytosolic AST and ALT activities of cerebral cortex by 35.4% and 29.1%, respectively, while exposure to 0.01% ferrous sulphate promoted 49.2% and 38.4% reduction of AST and ALT activities. Similarly mitochondrial AST and ALT activities reduced by 50% and 34.8%, respectively, on exposure to 0.001 g/L ferrous sulphate while 0.01 g/L ferrous sulphate promoted 51% and 47.8% reductions of AST and ALT activities at the end of 30 days, suggesting interference in the glutamate and protein metabolism of Tilapia brain.