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Changes in metabolic enzymes, cortisol and glucose concentrations of Beluga (Huso huso) exposed to dietary methylmercury

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Abstract

In this paper, effects of dietary methylmercury (MeHg) on several blood biochemical parameters including GLU (glucose), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and cortisol were investigated in the Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). Beluga juveniles were fed for 32 days on four diets containing MeHg (control: 0.04 mg kg−1; low: 0.76 mg kg−1; medium: 7.88 mg kg−1; and high 16.22 mg kg−1 treatment). Significant increases (P < 0.05) were observed in all biochemical parameters, except ALP levels, which decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control group with either dose- or time-dependent effects. These results suggest that long-term dietary MeHg exposure may affect metabolic enzyme activity and glucose levels in Belugas. These findings provide useful information for environmental and fishery officials to apply in future decisions for managing fish resources in Caspian Sea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of fisheries, International Hamoun Wetland Research Institute, University of Zabol, P. O. Box: 98615-538, Zabol, Sistan & Balouchestan, Iran

    Ahmad Gharaei & Mostafa Ghaffari

  2. Department of fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Khouzestan, Iran

    Saeed Keyvanshokooh

  3. Department of fisheries, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr Branch, Azadshahr, Iran

    Reza Akrami

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  1. Ahmad Gharaei
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  2. Mostafa Ghaffari
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  3. Saeed Keyvanshokooh
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  4. Reza Akrami
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Correspondence to Ahmad Gharaei.

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Gharaei, A., Ghaffari, M., Keyvanshokooh, S. et al. Changes in metabolic enzymes, cortisol and glucose concentrations of Beluga (Huso huso) exposed to dietary methylmercury. Fish Physiol Biochem 37, 485–493 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-010-9450-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-010-9450-3

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