HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN FRESHWATER FISH EXPOSED TO ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS OF CADMIUM IONS IN WATER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/dopovidi2026.05.047Keywords:
crucian carp, pike, hematological indicators, cadmiumAbstract
A comprehensive study of hematological parameters in freshwater fish — crucian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch.) and pike (Esox lucius L.) — was conducted under the influence of elevated concentrations of cadmium ions in the water (0.01 and 0.025 mg/dm³, corresponding to 2 and 5 times the maximum permissible concentrations). Fish acclimatization was carried out over 14 days in 200-liter aquariums with regular water changes. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. The evaluated indicators included red blood cell (RBC) count (using a Goryaev chamber), hematocrit value (by microcapillary method), hemoglobin concentration (hemiglobincyanide method), and total serum protein level (Lowry method). It was established that changes in the fish’s blood parameters are determined by their species-specific characteristics. In crucian carp, a significant decrease in RBC count was observed at both cadmium concentrations (by 12.3 % at 0.01 mg/dm³ and by 36.4 % at 0.025 mg/dm³), whereas in pike, this parameter decreased only at the lower concentration (by 31.7 %) and returned to control values at the higher concentration. A similar trend was recorded for hemoglobin content, which decreased in crucian carp by 4.2 % and 7.0 %, and in pike by 19.8 % and 2.8 %, respectively. The hematocrit value increased in crucian carp (by 21.2 % and 12.1 %), while in pike, a slight reduction was noted. Serum protein concentration increased in both species at all exposure levels (in crucian carp by 50.7 % and 28.9 %, in pike by 19.6 % and 25.9 %), indicating the mobilization of compensatory adaptive mechanisms or liver protein degradation. Cadmium accumulation in the blood of fish was not detected. The results confirm the high value of hematological parameters as functional biomarkers for monitoring the state of the environment and aquatic ecotoxicology.
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Received 08.09.2026
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