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. 2022 Mar 7;12(1):3628.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07506-8.

Oxidative, biochemical and histopathological alterations in fishes from pesticide contaminated river Ganga, India

Zeshan Umar Shah  1 , Saltanat Parveen  2
Affiliations

Oxidative, biochemical and histopathological alterations in fishes from pesticide contaminated river Ganga, India

Zeshan Umar Shah et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The river Ganga basin accommodates large scale of agricultural activities, where large quantities of pesticides are applied. To assess the biological impact of pesticide residues that are continuously entering in the water body, biomarkers are common approach in bio-monitoring study as early warning signals to pollutants. In the present study qualitative and quantitative analyses of gill and liver histopathological and the biochemical parameters were determined in Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio. The difference in the histopathology and oxidative stress responses emphasize the response of selected fishes to the presence of contaminants in the water. Sloughing of lamellar epithelium and their disruption, dilated vessels, lamellar fusion, smooth muscle hypertrophy in the gill and necrosis, Vacuolation in hepatocytes, inflammation and distorted arterial walls were seen in the liver. The biochemical parameters were the main contributors to discriminate the changes in the fish physiology. In conclusion, the gill and liver histopathological responses, although not reflecting specific contaminants, but can be used as biomarkers of environmental contamination.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map showing sampling stations (Devprayag, Rishikesh and Narora) along the length of river Ganga (source Google earth).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Catalase activity in gill and liver tissues of Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio from Narora and Rishikesh. The values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 10). Values are expressed as U/mg of protein. The significance levels observed is P ≤ 0.05 when compared with the control group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
GST activity in gill and liver tissues of Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio from Narora and Rishikesh. The values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 10). Values are expressed as U/mg of protein. The significance levels observed is P ≤ 0.05 when compared with the control group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
SOD activity in gill and liver tissues of Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio from Narora and Rishikesh. The values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 10). Values are expressed as U/mg of protein. The significance levels observed is P ≤ 0.05 when compared with the control group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Protein carbonyl content in gill and liver tissues of Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio from Narora and Rishikesh. The values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 10). Values are expressed as nanomoles of carbonyl/mg of protein. The significance levels observed is P ≤ 0.05 when compared with the control group.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(A) Regular shaped secondary gill lamellae in control fish, Gill tissue of Rita rita (Narora) (B) Sloughing of lamellar epithelium and their disruption (Arrow), Lamellar congestion (Arrow head), (C) Gill bridging (Arrow head). Gill tissue of Rita rita (Rishikesh), (D) Dilated vessel (Star), Lamellar congestion (Arrow head) (E) Focal area of lamellar fusion and their disruption (star).
Figure 7
Figure 7
(A) Regular shaped secondary gill lamellae in control fish, Gill tissue of Cyprinus carpio (Narora) (B) Dilated vessel (star), Sloughing of lamellar epithelium and their disruption (Arrow), Lamellar congestion (Arrow head). (C) Disrupted lamellar epithelium (Arrow) and smooth muscle hypertrophy (Star). (D, E) Gill tissue of Cyprinus carpio (Rishikesh), Sloughing of lamellar epithelium (Arrow), Dilated vessel (star), Sloughing of lamellar epithelium and their disruption (Arrow).
Figure 8
Figure 8
(A) Regular round shaped nuclei of hepatocytes of control fish, Liver tissue of Rita rita (Narora) (B, C), Necrotic changes in hepatocytes (Star) and Melanomacrophages (Arrow), Necrotic changes in hepatocytes, focal lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration (Oval). (D, E) Liver tissue of Rita rita (Rishikesh), Vacuolation in hepatocytes (Arrow).
Figure 9
Figure 9
(A) Regular round shaped nuclei of hepatocytes of control fish, Liver tissue of Cyprinus carpio (Narora) (B, C), Distorted vessel wall (Arrow), Vacuolation in hepatocytes (Arrow). (D, E) Liver tissue of Cyprinus carpio (Rishikesh), Vacuolation in hepatocytes (Arrow), Necrotic changes in hepatocytes (Star) and Pyknotic nuclei (Arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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