EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL COPPER ON THE OVARIAN HISTOMORPHOLOGY OF FISH, CYPRINION W ATSONI AFTER VARIOUS PERIODS OF EXPOSURE

Abstract

Copper is an essential micronutrient but its high concentration in water bodies is toxic to aquatic organisms. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of copper on the ovarian histomorpholgy of fish Cyprinion watsoni. The fish was exposed to constant dose of copper (O.08ppm) at different periods. Fish were taken out after 7, 14,21 and 28 days of copper treatments and different parameters were recorded. Fish length, body weight, ovarian weight, ovarian length and ovarian breadth affected (P>O.05) after 7, 14 and 21 days of copper treatment, but after 28 days of copper treatment fish length, body weight, ovarian weight, ovarian length and ovarian breadth significantly decreased (P<O.05) in treated group. Condition factor of fish remained unaffected (P>O.05) after 7, 14,21 and 28 days of copper treatment. OSI of fish was not significantly decreased (P>O.05) after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment but it was decreased significantly (P<O.05) after 28 days of copper treatment. In treated group after 7 days, follicle numbers of stage I, II, III, IV and V were not affected (P>O.05) but numbers of atretic follicles were significantly increased (P<O.05). Follicle numbers of stage I and II were not affected (P>O.05) but numbers of follicular stage III, IV, V and atretic follicles were significantly affected (P<O.05) after 14 days of copper treatment. Except follicular stage I, number of all follicular stages (II, III, IV, V and atretic follicles) were significantly affected (P<O.Ol) after 21 days of copper treatment. After 28 days of treatment number of all follicular stage (I, II, IILlV, V and atretic follicle) were significantly affected (P<O.Ol). Follicular diameter of stage III was significantly decreased (P<O.05) after 7 days of treatment. But after 14 days of copper treatment follicular diameter of all stages (1, II, III and V) except stage I were significantly decreased (P<O.05). Effect of copper was very drastic (P<O.OOl) on follicular diameter of all stages (I, II, III, IV and V) after 21 and 28 days of treatment.