Sub-Chronic Bisphenol-A Toxicity in Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus: Insight Into Metabolic Disruption, Oxidative...

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Aquatic toxicology
• Fish physiology

Background:

• Aquaculture and fisheries face threats from climate change and pollution.
• Microplastics are pervasive, impacting food chains and releasing plasticizers like bisphenol-A (BPA).
• BPA is a significant concern in aquatic environments due to its widespread presence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immune-physiological and histopathological effects of sublethal bisphenol-A (BPA) doses on the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus).
• To determine the median lethal concentration (96h-LC50) of BPA for Anabas testudineus.
• To assess the impact of BPA on oxidative stress, enzyme activity, and gene expression in climbing perch.

Main Methods:

• Determined the 96h-LC50 of BPA for Anabas testudineus.
• Exposed fish to sublethal BPA doses (0.419, 0.838, 1.677 ppm).
• Analyzed immune-physiological parameters, oxidative stress markers, enzyme activities (liver and brain), stress biomarkers, and gene expression.

Main Results:

• The 96h-LC50 of BPA was determined to be 16.77 ppm.
• BPA exposure increased erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, oxidative stress (SOD, catalase), and liver enzyme activity (AST, ALT).
• Acetylcholinesterase in brain tissue was inhibited, serum glucose and HSP levels increased, and specific genes (HSP, iNOS, CAS 3a, CYP450) were upregulated while others (TNFα, Ig) were downregulated.

Conclusions:

• Sublethal BPA exposure significantly affects immune-physiological and stress biomarker responses in Anabas testudineus.
• Even a low dose of BPA (0.419 ppm) can severely impact fish stress biomarkers.
• Findings highlight the detrimental effects of BPA pollution on fish health and aquatic ecosystems.