ESTIMATION OF ADVERSE EFFECT OF COPPER (CU++) IN TERMS OF GENOTOXICITY, BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES AND BEHAVIORAL ALTERATIONS IN FRESHWATER FISH Channa punctatus (BLOCH, 1793)

Copper is a potential environmental toxicant due to its easier bioavailability and high oxidizing potential. The present experimental study was conducted to estimate the adverse effect of copper in snakehead fish Channa punctatus bare to different sub-lethal concentrations of copper sulphate (CuSO4). Fish were segregated into four groups in which, Group1 served as control while Group 2 (LC50/5; 0.8 mg/l of CuSO4), Group 3 (LC50/10; 0.4 mg/l of CuSO4) and Group 4 (LC50/ 20; 0.2 mg/l of CuSO4) were treated groups. The changes due to CuSO4 were recorded in each group after interval of 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. Genotoxicity was observed as Micronuclei (MN) induction in RBCs and Chromosomal aberration in Kidney cells. There were no considerable changes were recorded MN frequency 0.30±0.6 in group 1 (control) whereas in group 2 with highest frequency 3.42±0.9, moderate increment was observed in group 3 with frequency 2.55±0.1 and mild changes were recorded in Group 4 with 1.67±0.05 after the exposure of CuSO4 for 96h. The frequency of chromosomal aberration was increased with increased concentration of CuSO4 in all exposed groups. Group 2 treated with the highest concentration of CuSO4 has the highest frequency 43.0±0.32 in 96h. Similarly group 3 recorded 36.0±0.33 and group 4 recorded 28.0±0.57 after 96h. During the analysis of biochemical parameters, it was noticed that SGOT, SGPT and ALP level were recorded highest in 96h and the values were 161.70±1.5, 8.88±0.29 and 0.95±0.03 respectively. Behavioral changes such as jerking movement, air gulping and food intake rate were also recorded during this experimental period and the results showed the increased mean values of Jerking movement and air gulping while the mean values of food intake rate were decreased in comparison with control group.