Effect of Nickel and Hexavalent Chromium on the Haematology of the Common carp,Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

In mammalian toxicology, clinical methods are well estab¬lished to evaluate the physiological effects of toxicants. The use of such methods is based upon a good knowledge of normal clinical values and of the relationship between physiological and biochemical alterations, and important whole animal responses. Similar knowledge has not been gained yet in fish toxicology and work is going on in transferring of various clinical methods from medical and veterinary science to fish physiology and toxicology [1]. Haematological procedures are used in the diagnosis of diseases and parasite attacks in fish. They are altered by both environmental and endogenous factors. Several toxicants induce disturbances in the red and white blood cell pattern in fish including heavy metals, pesticides, industrial effluents and other chemicals. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the effect of nickel and hexavalent chromium on the red and white blood cell count of common carp after chronic exposure.