CHROMIUM INDUCED HAEMATOLOGiCAL CHANGES IN THE CAT FISH, HETEROPNEUSTES FOSSILIS (BLOCH)

In the present investigation the effect of toxicity in the Heteropneustes fossilis was studied with oral administration of trivalent chromium in the form of chromium trioxide after 96h of exposure to a sub-lethal concentration of 32mg.ll. When the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis was exposed to a sub-lethal concentration of chromium of 32 mg. I after 96h showed marked increased in the number of Erythrocytes, haematocrit values, clotting time, where as Leukopenia due to reduction in the number of small Lymphocytes, thrombocytopenia and significant decrease in the ESI were also noted. However, the number of immature erythrocytes, large lymphocytes and heamoglobin were not affected by metal exposure.