Effects of Sewage Effluent on Blood Biochemical Parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio): A Case Study of Behbahan, Khuzestan Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of untreated municipal wastewater on the blood biochemical parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. In this study, the fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of municipal wastewater for 21 days. The blood was sampled after 21 days and its biochemical parameters including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities as well as total proteins, albumin, globulin, glucose and cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea levels were measured. AST, LDH and CPK activities showed an overall significant change (P< 0.05) in the experimental groups of fish. A significant decrease in ALT, GGT, ALP and AChE activities was observed in fish exposed to municipal wastewater (P< 0.05). Glucose, creatinine and urea, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood of fish exposed to municipal wastewater significantly increased (P< 0.05). The fish exposed to the municipal wastewater showed a significant decrease in total protein and albumin levels. However, no significant changes were observed in globulin levels in fish exposed to municipal wastewater. In conclusion, exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of municipal wastewater may cause blood biochemical changes in C. carpio