Cadmium induced histopathological alterations in the kidney of freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)

Cadmium induced histopathological alterations in the kidney of
freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)
Mathur Venkiteswaran Radhakrishnan
Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar – 608 002, INDIA.
Email:[email protected].
Received 25th July 2011, Accepted 29th December 2011
Abstract
Effect of sublethal concentration of cadmium chloride (12 ppm; 10% of 96h LC50) on kidney of the freshwater
catfish Heteropneustes fossilis was studied for a period of 45 days under laboratory conditions. The alteration in
histology was found in the proximal tubule as deformation of brush border, gradual atrophy of basal cytoplasm and
condensation of nuclear material leads to pycnosis of nuclei. Degenerated cells were frequently seen extruding into
the lumen of tubules and were filled with fragments of cellular components. Focal degeneration of tubular cells as
well as more extensive necrosis of the whole nephron. Infiltration of leucocytes and macrophages surrounded the
tubules.
Keywords: Cadmium toxicity, histopathology, Heteropneustes fossilis, kidney.