Abstract

Copper nanoparticles are widely used in various commercial and industrial products and have potential toxicity. This study assessed the effects of copper nanoparticles on gills and the brain of Cyprinus carpio. This study investigated the sub-lethal effects of waterborne copper nanoparticles by involving Cyprinus carpio (n=120) of 40±5g weight distributed into four groups with 3 replicates having 10 fish in each group. For this purpose Cyprinus carpio were exposed to either 0.6 or 1.04 or 1.6 mg/L of waterborne copper nanoparticles for 14 days. Histopathological and enzymatic studies were carried out. Control fish showed normal histology while in treated groups; gill tissues showed alterations such as necrosis, filament fusion, congestion, the curvature of filaments, gills edema and thickening of the primary and secondary lamella. Enlarged primordial cells, necrosis, and hemorrhage were the changes reported in the brain. These changes were dose-dependent and increased with increasing dose. In this study activity of catalase enzymes decreased as compared to control while activities of lipid peroxide and reduced glutathione increased significantly when compared with control group activities. Study revealed that Copper nanoparticles exposure induced significant toxicological impacts on gills and brain.

Keywords: Toxicity, Histology, Oxidative stress, Fish, Cu NPs