Histopathological effects of Nicotine on the liver of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822).

Abstract

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) are produced naturally and commercially through various anthropogenic activities. Both of these types are capable of producing a certain endocrine disruption in the physiology of organisms dwelling in that environment. A multitude of study revealed and recorded the occurrence of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Indian freshwater which were at potentially toxic levels. One such commercial compound was Nicotine, known to be a potential endocrine disruptor since studies have revealed it capable of altering estrogen responsive enzymes in fishes. Water sampling analysis from regions around Mumbai and Thane regions has revealed the presence of Nicotine metabolites like norcotinine in water. This provides as evidence that the fishes in these waters are constantly exposed to varying concentration of these compounds, thus undergoing certain physiological changes. As liver is one of the major organs in fishes that aids in detoxifying the system, the present study was aimed at understanding the detrimental effects of Nicotine on the histopathology of liver in Labeo rohita a commercially available food fish. Current observations evidently indicated nicotine as a potential hepatotoxic agent in fishes.