Abstract
The objective of the present study was to identify the degree and damage to the histological architecture of Cyprinus carpio kidneys exposed to various sublethal concentrations of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]. For this investigation 168 C. carpio breeders (W=500 +/- 9.5 g; L= 25.60 +/- 2.6 cm) were divided at random in to control (n=24) and experimental (n=144) @ 8 breeders/tank (8.84 m(3)). Control were kept in normal water, while experimental were monthly exposed to various sublethal (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 & 150 mg/L) Cr (VI) concentrations separately in triplicate for six months. Actual chromium in water was measured on atomic absorption on monthly basis. Exposed kidneys had necrosed and disintegrated hematopoietic tissues with pycnotic nuclei on all the Cr (VI) concentrations; whereas degenerated glomerulus was noted only in the kidneys at 125 and 150 mg/L and atrophy of renal tubules with reduced lumen at 100, 125 and 150 mg/L. Kidneys had normal histological structure in control. Actual chromium concentration varied from 36 to 118 mu g/mL in tanks exposed to Cr (VI) from 25 to 150 mg/L. Present results showed that Cr (VI) is highly teratogenic metal and its deteriorating affects increase with the increase in its concentration. (C) 2011 Friends Science Publishers