The changes in common carp blood after short-term zinc exposure.
Blood zinc level, hematological parameters and blood cell morphology were evaluated in common carp immediately after 3 h exposure to 20 mg dm(-3) of zinc (Zn0), and in 24, 48 and 96 hours after the end of it (Zn24, Zn48, Zn96). Blood zinc level in the non-exposed fish was 8 mg dm(-3), reached a maximum of 20 mg dm(-3) in Zn48, while it dropped to 9 mg dm(-3) in Zn96. Zinc caused a stress reaction in fish indicated by an increase in hematocrit value in Zn0, and elevated plasma glucose level and trombocytosis which persisted until the end of the experiment. Zinc-exposed fish showed an increased frequency of abnormal erythrocytes, and a compensatory release of immature erythrocytes to the blood stream. In zinc-treated fish, leukocyte count initially increased and subsequently decreased significantly below the control level due to a drop in lymphocyte number. Lymphocyte viability was reduced, and abnormal lymphocytes appeared. A decreased count of juvenile neutrophiles, and reduced phagocyte activity also occurred. The results indicate possible zinc-induced disturbances in both specific and non-specific immune mechanisms.
Witeska
Małgorzata
M
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland. wites@ap.siedlce.pl
Kościuk
Barbara
B
D000818:Animals; D002347:Carps / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009504:Neutrophils; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
D014873:Water Pollutants; D015032:Zinc