NEELAM SINGH AND MADHU TRIPATHI
Abstract
Fluoride is a naturally occurring toxicant in aquatic ecosystem. In small amount F is beneficial, as it is believed to impart stability to bone and enamel, thereby preventing dental caries and osteoporosis. Its level is increasing day by day in the environment due to natural (geochemical dissolution of rocks) and the anthropogenic sources (industries). It causes depletion of various biomolecules like protein, lipid, glycogen, cholesterol and inhibits mechanism of different physiological and biochemical processes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of fluoride on protein, lipid and glycogen content in different organs (liver, kidney, muscles, gonads, gill, and brain) of H. fossilis after exposure to fluoride. We find that fluoride causes significant depletion of protein, lipid and glycogen content in both sublethal concentration groups in liver, kidney, muscles, gonads, gills, and brain as compared to control.