Study on the sensitivity to cadmium of marine fish Salaria basilisca (Pisces: Blennidae)

The present study tested the sensitivity of Salaria basilisca to water-cadmium (Cd) contamination. For this purpose, liver somatic index (LSI), Cd concentrations and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured in the liver of S. basilisca exposed to Cd-contaminated water (2 mg Cd/L as CdCl2) for 14 and 28 d. The results showed that the LSI decreased significantly after 14 and 28 d of Cd-exposure. Cd bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 42 mu g/g dry weight after 28 d of exposure. Activities of CAT and SOD were significantly increased with increasing exposure time. A significant increase in GSH-Px activity, under Cd influence, was observed during 14-day exposure period (p < 0.0001). However, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in this activity with respect to control fish was registered after 28 d of Cd-exposure. These results showed that Cd accumulation in the liver of S. basilisca could induce oxidative stress as demonstrated by changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Results also emphasized that S. basilisca may considered as a sensitive species to Cd exposure.