SODIUM FLUORIDE TOXICITY IN FRESHWATER CATFISH CLARIAS BATRACHUS: EFFECT ON BODY WEIGHT, GONADOSOMATIC INDEX, HEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERSNeha Jain, Chandrahasini Nirnejak, Naresh Chandra Agrawal and Richa TikarihaAbstract Sodium fluoride is a naturally occurring toxicant that affects aquatic life. The present study was conducted to observe the effect of different doses of sodium fluoride in freshwater fish Clarias batrachus with respect to their body weight, gonadosomatic index, haematological and biochemical parameters. In which Clarias batrachus was exposed to sublethal concentration of sodium fluoride for 25 days to assess the alterations on the body weight, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hematological and biochemical parameters in blood during different phases of their annual reproductive cycle. Following acclimation, fishes are divided into three groups i.e., Group I (control), Group II (exposure of 2.5 mg/l NaF) and Group III (exposure of 7.0 mg/l NaF). Results of ANOVA shows statistically significant dose dependent alterations in all the parameters, irrespective of phase of annual reproductive cycle. It has also been noticed that with increasing concentration of sodium fluoride, body weight, RBC and hemoglobin content and male gonadosomatic index were decreased but no significant change in female gonadosomatic index. Serum glucose and cholesterol was increased as compared to the control group. |