Abstract

Assessment of Total Protein Contents, Hematological Parameters and Histopathological Alterations in Gills of Fish Treated with Plasticizers, Di-Methyl Phthalate and Di-N-Octyl Phthalate

Authors: Ghazala Jabeen, Maryam Tariq, Sarwat Ishaq and Qurat ul Ain

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2024.025

Abstract
Phthalate esters (Dimethyl Phthalate and Di-n-octyl Phthalate) are used as plasticizers across the globe for large variety of industrial products like toys, plastic bottles, wash-on and leave-on cosmetics of human use. These plasticizers are eventually released into the environment and are considered ubiquitous organic pollutants. Hence, genotoxic studies were carried out by induction of nuclear lesions and micronuclei in peripheral erythrocytes of Ctenopharyngodon idella (C. idella. Fish were exposed to Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) (1.5µgL-1), Di-n-octyl Phthalate (4µgL-1) and mixture of both Phthalates 10 µgL-1 for 3, 6 and 15 days, respectively. Comparison of total protein contents in all the treatment groups showed significantly highest fluctuations in the protein contents. Hematological analysis of C. idella revealed significant decrease in total red blood cell (RBCs) count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and platelet count. The exposed fish at day 15 showed lowest values of all hematological parameters like RBCs count, Hct, Hb, platelet count as compared to other treated groups. The salient and prominent histological alterations in gills sections of fish included fusion of primary and secondary lamellae of gills, epitheliocystis and hyperplasia while histological alterations in heart of exposed fish were atrophy, severe alteration in heart cell arrangement and disintegration of cardiac muscle bundles. HAI (Gills) for phthalate injected fish followed the order: HAI15-day> HAI6-day >HAI3-day. The phthalates are environmental pollutants and their exposure to fish and other humans cause hematological, immunological disturbances and genotoxicity.

Keywords: Blood, Genotoxicity, Micronuclei, Nuclear abnormalities, Hematocrit, Phthalates.