Renal architectural alterations in Channa punctatus when chronically exposed to mercuric chloride

Abstract

In the present investigation live specimens of Channa punctatus were collected, after acclimatization they were chronically exposed to sublethal concentrations of mercuric chloride for 15 and 30 days. As compared to the control fish, Mercury treated fish kidney showed marked histopathological changes. After 15 days the alterations detected initially were the widening of space between the capsule and the glomerular capillary network. The effect was dose and duration dependents. After 30 days exposure, marked shrinkage of glomerular tuft at all the concentrations were noticed. Further the effect became so severe that visceral epithelium got ruptured, glomerulus got evacuated and necrosis of kidney tubule was seen.