Effect of dietary cadmium on growth and haematological parameters of juvenile rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf)

Experiments were carried out to investigate the growth and haematological parameters in juvenile rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, exposed to sub-chronic dietary cadmium (Cd) (0, 0.5, 5, 25, and 125 mg kg(-1)) for 60 days. The daily growth rates of weight and length of the rockfish were significantly different from control, and a significant inverse relationship was observed between weight gain and the exposure concentration of dietary Cd at 25 and 125 mg kg(-1) (P<0.05). Glucose in serum was also increased significantly (P<0.05). The concentration of total protein in serum was significantly lower than control at 5, 25, and 125 mg kg(-1). No differences were observed in serum calcium concentration. The magnesium concentration in serum was increased significantly with dietary Cd concentration.