Ammonia stress-induced physiological and histological changes in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)

Aditya Kumar; Labrechai Mog Chowdhury; Rajesh Kumar; Radhika Rimal; Vindhya Mohindra

doi:10.21077/ijf.2025.72.3.169326-16

Authors

Aditya Kumar
Labrechai Mog Chowdhury
Rajesh Kumar
Radhika Rimal
Vindhya Mohindra ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.3.169326-16

Keywords:

hyper-ammonia; Heteropneustes fossilis; haematological; gills; oedematous changes.

Abstract

Ammonia is a major environmental pollutant in freshwater aquatic systems, significantly impacting the survival and growth of aquatic organisms. In the present study, we investigated the changes in blood physiological parameters and gill structure in Heteropneustes fossilis under hyper-ammonia stress (25 mM NH₄Cl) for experimental exposure durations of 1, 3, 6 and 9 h, as well as after a 24 h recovery period in normal water following 9 h of exposure (9h+N). Results indicated a progressive increase in blood ammonia levels up to 6 h, with fluctuations thereafter, however, even after recovery period, it was significantly more than that of control (p<0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding rise in urea concentration, reaching up to a four-fold increase at 6 h exposure, followed by a decrease at 9 h and to that of control level at 9h+N. Blood glucose exhibited a continuous increase with prolonged exposure till 9 h exposure and then significantly decreased during recovery period. Serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) showed significant increase at 6 h, while serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) at both 3 and 6 h. There was a fluctuating pattern of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). No significant changes were observed for haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum protein and serum creatinine. Histological examination of gill tissues revealed extensive damage, particularly after 9 h of ammonia exposure. At this time point, 78% of the gills exhibited severe structural alterations, including the loss of secondary lamellae tips and 51% showed oedematous changes.

Keywords: Gills, Hyper-ammonia, Heteropneustes fossilis, Haematological, Oedematous changes

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

as dietary energy source by, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). In: De Silva SS (ed) Fish nutrition research in Asia. Proceedings of the fourth Asian fish nutrition workshop, Asian fisheries society special publication. Asian Fish Society, Manila, p. 93–100.

Basak, A. 2007. Development of a rapid and inexpensive plasma glucose estimation by two-point kinetic method based on glucose oxidase-peroxidase enzymes. Indian J. Clin. Biochem., 22,156-160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912902

Burgess, W. E. 1989. An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes a preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. TFH Publications, Neptune City.

Chakraborty, B. K., Nur, N. N. 2012. Growth and yield performance of shingi, Heteropneustes fossilis and koi, Anabas testudineus in Bangladesh under semi-intensive culture systems. Int. J. Agric. Res. Innov. Technol., 2(2):15–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i2.14010

Chew, S. F., Ong, T. F., Ho, L., Tam, W. L., Loong, A. M., Hiong, K. C., et al., 2003. Urea synthesis in the African lungfish Protopterus dolloi – hepatic carbamoyl phosphate synthetase III and glutamine synthetase are upregulated by 6·days of aerial exposure. J. Exp. Biol., 206, 3615–3624. doi: 10.1242/jeb. 00619 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.00619

Choudhury, M. G. and Saha, N. 2012. Influence of environmental ammonia on the production of nitric oxide and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the freshwater air-breathing catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis). Aquat. Toxicol., 116, p. 43-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2012.03.006

Ciji, A. and Akhtar, M. S. 2020. Nitrite implications and its management strategies in aquaculture: a review. Rev. Aquac., 12(2): 878-908. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12354

Collos, Y. and Harrison, P. J. 2014. Acclimation and toxicity of high ammonium concentrations to unicellular algae. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 80(1-2): 8-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.01.006

da Costa, O. T. F., dos Santos Ferreira, D. J., Mendonça, F. L. P. and Fernandes, M. N. 2004. Susceptibility of the Amazonian fish, Colossoma macropomum (Serrasalminae), to short-term exposure to nitrite. Aquaculture, 232(1-4): 627-636. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(03)00524-6

Dacie, J. V. and Lewis, S. M. 1991. Practical Haematology. Pub.: ChurchhillL Livingstone. London. p.1-73.

Dawood, M. A., Gewaily, M. and Sewilam, H. 2023. Combined effects of water salinity and ammonia exposure on the antioxidative status, serum biochemistry, and immunity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish Physiol. Biochem., 49(6):1461-1477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-023-01267-5

Eddy, F. B. and Williams, E. M. 1987. Nitrite and freshwater fish. Chem. Ecol., 3(1): 1-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02757548708070832

Guo, M., Xu, Z., Zhang, H., Mei, J. and Xie, J. 2023. The effects of acute exposure to ammonia on oxidative stress, hematological parameters, flesh quality, and gill morphological changes of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Animals, 13(15): 2534. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152534

Hargreaves, J. A. and Tucker, C. S. 2004. Managing ammonia in fish ponds (Vol. 4603). Stoneville: Southern Regional Aquaculture Center.

Hossain, M. Y., Islam, R., Ahmed, Z. F., Rahman, M. M., Hossen, M. A., Naser, S. M. A. and Rasel, R. I. 2015. Threatened fishes of the world: Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae). Croat. J. Fish, 73:77–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14798/73.2.796

Ip, Y. K. and Chew, S. F. 2010. Ammonia production, excretion, toxicity, and defense in fish: a review. Front. Physiol., 1: 134 [online] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2010.00134

Jensen, F. B. 2003. Nitrite disrupts multiple physiological functions in aquatic animals. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Mol. Integr. Physiol., 135(1): 9-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(02)00323-9

Jensen, F. B. 2009. The role of nitrite in nitric oxide homeostasis: a comparative perspective. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, Bioenerg., 1787(7): 841-848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbabio.2009.02.010

Kim, J. H., Cho, J. H., Kim, S. R. and Hur, Y. B. 2020. Toxic effects of waterborne ammonia exposure on hematological parameters, oxidative stress and stress indicators of juvenile hybrid grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus♂× Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol., 80: 103-453. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2020.103453

Kim, J. H., Kang, Y. J., Kim, K. I., Kim, S. K. and Kim, J. H. 2019. Toxic effects of nitrogenous compounds (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) on acute toxicity and antioxidant responses of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol., 67: 73-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2019.02.001

Kim, J. H., Park, H. J., Hwang, I. K., Han, J. M., Kim, D. H., Oh, C. W., Lee, J. S. and Kang, J. C. 2017. Toxic effects of juvenile sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria by ammonia exposure at different water temperature. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol., 54: 169-176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.07.008

Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., Park, M. A., Hwang, S. D. and Kang, J. C. 2015. The toxic effects of ammonia exposure on antioxidant and immune responses in Rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii during thermal stress. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol., 40(3): 954-959. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2015.10.006

Kumar, A., Pradhan, P. K., Chadha, N. K., Mohindra, V., Tiwari, V. K., Sood, N. and Gisbert, E. 2019. Ontogeny of the digestive tract in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) larvae. Fish Physio. Biochem., 45: 667-679. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-019-00618-5

Kumar, A., Pradhan, P. K., Chadha, N. K., Mohindra, V., Tiwari, V. K. and Sood, N. 2018. Effect of dietary regimes on development of digestive system of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) larvae. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci., 7: 413-421. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.708.047

Kutty, M. N. 2001. Diversification of aquaculture. In: Pandian TJ (ed) Sustainable Indian Fisheries. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ICAR), New Delhi, p. 189–212.

Limeres, J, Garcez, J. F., Marinho, J. S., Loureiro, A., Diniz, M., Diz, P. A. 2017. Breath ammonia analyser for monitoring patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis. Br. J. Biomed. Sci.,74(1): 24-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09674845.2016.1239886

Lustgarten, J. A., Wenk, R. E. 1972. Simple, rapid, kinetic method for serum creatinine measurement. Clinical Chemistry. 18(11): 1419-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/18.11.1419

Li, M., Gong, S., Li, Q., Yuan, L., Meng, F. and Wang, R. 2016. Ammonia toxicity induces glutamine accumulation, oxidative stress and immunosuppression in juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C Toxicol. Pharmacol., 183: 1-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.01.005

Milne, I., Seager, J., Mallett, M. and Sims, I. 2000. Effects of short‐term pulsed ammonia exposure on fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 19(12): 2929-2936. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620191213

Molayemraftar, T., Peyghan, R., Jalali, M. R. and Shahriari, A. 2022. Single and combined effects of ammonia and nitrite on common carp, Cyprinus carpio: Toxicity, hematological parameters, antioxidant defences, acetylcholinesterase, and acid phosphatase activities. Aquaculture, 548: 737676. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737676

Ren, Q., Li, M., Yuan, L., Song, M., Xing, X., Shi, G., Meng, F. and Wang, R. 2016. Acute ammonia toxicity in crucian carp Carassius auratus and effects of taurine on hyperammonemia. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C Toxicol. Pharmacol., 190: 9-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.08.001

Randall, D. J., Ip, Y. K., Chew, S. F. and Wilson, J. M. 2004. Air breathing and ammonia excretion in the giant mudskipper, Periophthalmodon schlosseri. Physiol. Biochem. Zool., 77(5): 783-788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/423745

Riegler, E. 1914. Eine kolorimetrische Bestimmungsmethode des Eiweisses. Z. Anal. Chem., 53: 242-254. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01547516

Saha, N., Das, L., Dutta, S. and Goswami, U.C. 2001. Role of ureogenesis in the mud-dwelled Singhi catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) under condition of water shortage. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Mol. Integr. Physiol., 128(1): 137-146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00282-8

Sampson, E. J., Baird, M. A., Burtis, C. A., Smith, E. M., Witte, D. L. and Bayse, D. D. 1980. A coupled-enzyme equilibrium method for measuring urea in serum: optimization and evaluation of the AACC study group on urea candidate reference method. Clinical chemistry, 26(7): 816-826. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/26.7.816

Solomon, J. R., 2014. Urea and creatinine of Clarias gariepinus in three different commercial ponds. Nat. Sci., 12(10): 124-138.

Sun, Y., Fu, Z., Liu, X. and Ma, Z. 2024. The impact of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Stress on the Gill Tissue Structure and Antioxidant Ability of Gills and Red and White Muscle in Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares). Antioxidants, 13(11): 1357. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13111357

Clark, T. C., Tinsley, J., Macqueen, D. J. and Martin, S. A. M. 2019. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) urea cycle and polyamine synthesis gene families show dynamic expression responses to inflammation. Fish Shellfish Immunol., 89: 290-300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2019.03.075

Tharakan, B., Joy, K. P. 1996. Effects of mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, Pimozide, and the combination on plasma gonadotropin levels in different seasons and induction of ovulation in female catfish. J. Fish Biol., 48: 623–632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jfbi.1996.0062

Thoranam Varkey, A. M. and Sajeevan, S. 2014. Efficacy of 2‐Phenoxyethanol as an Anaesthetic for Adult Redline Torpedo Fish, Sahyadria denisonii (Day 1865). Int. J. Zool., 2014(1): 315029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/315029

van Assendelft, O.W. and England, J.M. 1982. Advances in hematological methods, the blood count. (No Title).

Wang, T., Yang, C., Zhang, S., Rong, L., Yang, X., Wu, Z. and Sun, W. 2021. Metabolic changes and stress damage induced by ammonia exposure in juvenile Eriocheir sinensis. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 223: 112608. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112608

Xing, X., Li, M., Yuan, L., Song, M., Ren, Q., Shi, G., Meng, F. and Wang, R. 2016. The protective effects of taurine on acute ammonia toxicity in grass carp Ctenopharynodon idellus. Fish Shellfish Immunol., 56: 517-522. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2016.08.005

Xu, Z., Cao, J., Qin, X., Qiu, W., Mei, J. and Xie, J. 2021. Toxic effects on bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, oxidative stress, immune responses and tissue structure in fish exposed to ammonia nitrogen: a review. Animals, 11(11): 3304. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113304

Zhang, W., Xia, S., Zhu, J., Miao, L., Ren, M., Lin, Y., Ge, X. and Sun, S. 2019. Growth performance, physiological response and histology changes of juvenile blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala exposed to chronic ammonia. Aquaculture, 506: 424-436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.03.072