Effects of metal (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn) exposures on some enzymatic and non-enzymatic indicators in the liver of Oreochromis niloticus.

Freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus exposed to 0.05 microg/mL of Cu, Cd, Zn, Ag and Cr for up to 30 days. Only Ag, which exceeded environmentally realistic concentrations by a factor of >100 caused fish mortality within this period. Metals increased aspartate transaminase (AST) activity, while they decreased alanine transaminase (ALT) activity, except Cr exposure. Concentrations of free -SH group decreased whereas protein concentrations did not alter following metal exposures. Detectable metal accumulation occurred in the liver of Cd, Cu and Zn exposed fish. This study emphasized that both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms may be useful in understanding the degree of metal toxicity in fish liver.