Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in erythrocytes and plasmatransaminases of goldfish (Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch.) exposed to cadmium

Four groups of goldfish were exposed to cadmium in a concentration of 20 mg Cd/l water under aquarium conditions. The duration of exposure was 1, 4, 7 and 15 days. It was shown that the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the red blood cells (RBC) significantly decreased after the first day of cadmium exposure. However, the SOD activity increased after 7 and 15 days of cadmium treatment. Elevated activity of catalase (CAT) was found in eryt hrocytes of cadmium-treated fishes after 15 days, whereas plasma GOT levels was increased after 7 and 15 days and GPT levels after 1, 4, 7 and 15 days of cadmium treatment. This was accompanied by a significant decrease of bl ood hemoglobin concentrations (after 15 days) and hematocrit values (after 7 and 15 days). However, the concentration of blood glucose significantly i ncreased after 1, 4, 7 and 15 days of cadmium exposure. These results indic ate that cadmium causes oxidative stress and tissue damage in the exposed f ishes.