Effect of water-borne cadmium toxicity on some biochemical parameters and histopathological alterations in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Cadmium is one of heavy metals affecting aquatic biota. The current study aimed to investigate the toxic effect of cadmium on the biochemical parameters of blood (glucose, total protein, activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and the histological structure of gills and liver in common carp exposed to sublethal concentrations for 96 hours. The toxicity test was performed with sublethal cadmium chloride (CdCl2) concentration using the fixed bioassay method in static renewal conditions. Based on the results, glucose levels significantly increased in treated fish, while total protein declined significantly. Cadmium toxicity raised the activity of serum AST and ALT (P 0.05). The histopathological examinations showed increased alternation in the gill tissues and hepatic tissue over the 96 h of exposure. In conclusion, Cyprinus carpio, is affected by the toxic impact of cadmium on biochemical parameters of blood, and the alteration in the histology of gill and liver.