Lead Induced Alterations in Serum Biochemical Features of an Indian Air-Breathing Catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus)

A freshwater Indian air breathing catfish, Clarias batrachus was subjected to low (3.75 mg/L) and high (18.75 mg/L) sub lethal dose of lead nitrate for short (24, 48 and 96 hours) and long term (15, 30 and 45 days) treatment to study serum biochemical features. All the variations were more dependent on the dose in comparison to the duration. At the end of the experiment, serum glucose, serum cholesterol and serum urea levels raised (p<0.05) in both the concentrations of lead exposed fish when compared to controlled one. Conversely, the serum protein level decreased (p<0.05) in the lead exposed groups in comparison to the control group. These changes are indicative of stress imposed on the fish by lead and could be used as biomarkers of lead poisoning.