Effect of metal mixtures on activity of two respiratory enzymes and their recovery in Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters).

Effects of sublethal doses of metal (Cu, Cd, Zn) mixtures on the activities of key respiratory enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, SDH and glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase, GDH) and their recovery following withdrawal of treatments were studied in the freshwater fish O. mossambicus. On the basis of 96 hr LC50 Cu was highly toxic followed by Zn and Cd, and the trimetal combination (Cu+Zn+Cd) was extremely toxic than any other combination; combination of Zn+Cd was least toxic. A significant gradual decrease in SDH with a concomitant increase in GDH activity observed in liver, brain, muscle and gill of animals exposed to metal suggest a metabolic shift from aerobiosis to anaerobiosis due to metal action. Exposed individuals when transferred to metal impoverished water showed an improvement in SDH activity and decline in GDH activity suggesting slow reversal to aerobic metabolism. O. mossambicus needs more time for complete recovery.