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Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2009, Vol 9, Num, 2     (Pages: 191-200)

A Protective Effect of Calcium Carbonate Against Arsenic Toxicity of the Nile Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Nassr-Allah H. Abdel-Hameid 1

1 Benha University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Benha, Egypt DOI : 10.4194/trjfas.2009.0211 Viewed : 3744 - Downloaded : 3480 The present study was intended to test the protective upshot of calcium carbonate against the gifted toxicity of arsenic to the Nile cat-fish (Clarias gariepinus). Enhanced hepatosomatic index (HSI) and reduced gonadosomatic index (GSI) and intestinal index (ISI) as well as some of the tested blood parameters were recorded for fishes down to arsenic spotlight. The plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total lipids, glucose and total protein were significantly increased in fishes exposed to arsenic. Likewise, the activities of AST, ALT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27), in the liver and muscle were radically increased, whereas the total protein and glycogen contents in these organs were significantly abridged following arsenic exposure, this may be an indication of energy expenditure attributable to arsenic toxicity. The histological examinations of the liver and gills renowned arsenic induced degenerative changes of these organs. Furthermore, the addition of calcium carbonate as a liming agent induces reversibility of most of these arsenic – induced changes, especially those of fishes subjected to 1/20 LC50 of arsenic. Consequently, calcium carbonate could be feasible to be used for the fortification of C. gariepinus in opposition to arsenic toxicity. Keywords : Arsenic, Clarias gariepinus, sublethal concentrations, toxicity, calcium carbonate