<b>Evaluation of the toxicity of copper for piauçu (<em>Leporinus macrocephalus</em>) through leukocyte and enzymatic parameters</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i1.4939

Abstract

Toxicity tests have been widely used as a form of monitoring degraded areas. This work has as objective to evaluate the toxicity of copper for Piauçu from the determination of LC₅₀ for 96 hours and analysis of alterations in the enzymatic and leukocyte patterns, in sublethal exposure (25 and 50% of the lethal concentration) for 96 hours. The LC₅₀ of copper for Piauçu, during 96 hours, is 0.09±0.03 mg L^-1 Cu²⁺. After exposure to the sublethal concentrations, enzymatic concentrations of Alanine Aminotrasferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase did not show any significant difference between the individuals of the control and metal groups. Plasma glucose showed a significant increase in fish exposed to 25 and 50% of LC₅₀, when compared with control. Eosinophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil showed no significant difference from the control group. Thrombocytes increased significantly in the fish exposed to 50% of the LC₅₀, as did monocytes in fish exposed to 25 and 50% of LC₅₀. The results indicate that Piauçu is a species sensitive to the lethal effects of copper, and that exposure to the sublethal concentrations causes immune disorder; however, it does not induce liver damage according with the measured enzymes.