Hepatic Parameters of Marine Fish Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) Exposed to Sublethal Concentrations of Water-Soluble Fraction of Petroleum

Hepatic Parameters of Marine Fish Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) Exposed to Sublethal Concentrations of Water-Soluble Fraction of Petroleum

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the liver histological changes, hepatosomatic index and condition factor, as well as the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase after sublethal exposure 0.3 ppm of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of petroleum the period from 7 and 14 days. Observed an increase of hepatosomatic index after 7 and 14 days and reduced condition factor at 14 days of exposure, increased AST activity in serum at 14 days of exposure and liver histological alterations in 7 and 14 days, such as hypertrophy of nucleus of the hepatocytes, increase of density of the hepatic blood vessels, disarrangement of hepatic cords, cell atypia contour, intense cytoplasmic and nuclear vacuolization and hyperemia. We concluded that the evaluation of hepatosomatic index, histopathological alterations and activity of enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are sensitive to exposure to WSF, being good biomarkers. It is concluded, also, that the sub-lethal exposure to 0.3ppm WSF change of hepatic parameters of the fish species Rachycentron canadum, affecting the functioning of the biotransformation system. Knowledge of the changes and their adaptations will serve as the basis for the conservation of the species and more effective environmental monitoring