A. RENI PRABHA, S. MURALIDHARAN and M.A. SUBRAMANIAN
Abstract
The total number of RBCs and WBCs, Hb content and PCV and MCHC values are found to decrease in 0. mossambicus on exposure to paper and pulp mill effluent. The reduction in number of PBCs and Hb content could be due to either inhibition of erythropoiesis as evidenced by the disruptive action of the effluent on the bonemarrow cells or destruction of RBCs as supported by decreased MCHC value. This in turn might have caused severe anaemia the occurrence of which was well supported by the resumption of haemopoietic power in the liver of the fish. The decreased PCV and increased MCV and MCHb values were found to occur in a condition of hypochromic macrocytic anaemia in effluent treated fish. The fall in number of WBCs could be due to lesser production of granulocytes and lymphocytes so that the effluent-treated fishes might have lost their defenive mechanism against infections.