Assessment of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Cyprinus carpio Exposed to Sub Lethal Concentration of Antibiotic (Amoxicillin)

The widespread use of antibiotics in aquaculture has raised growing concerns regarding their potential effect on fish health and aquatic species. This research was conducted to analyze the effect of antibiotic (Amoxicillin) exposure on the hematological and biochemical parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), which is a highly relevant freshwater fish commercial species. This experiment contained 90 healthy fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio that were sub-exposed to a selected antibiotic at concentration of 10mg/L and 5mg/L under controlled laboratory conditions over a 28 days’ time span divided into the control and treatment-1 and treatment-2 groups. At the conclusion of the experimental period, blood was taken to evaluate the important hematological variables, such as the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), the level of hemoglobin in the blood (Hb), the hematocytes percentage (Hct), and the erythrocyte indices. Serum glucose, total protein was also measured as biochemical parameters in terms of metabolic and physiological responses. The findings showed that there were significant changes in both biochemical and hematological parameters in fish exposed to antibiotics and the controls. Reduction in the number of RBCs, concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels indicated the development of anemia and physiological stress. On the other hand, high WBC count was a sign of immune response to the toxicity caused by antibiotics. Biochemical examination showed. High glucose level showed that there are metabolic imbalance and alteration of protein and creatinine level indicated poor liver and kidney functioning. Future research should be focused on dose-dependent and time-dependent to establish threshold of antibiotics and molecular and genetic biomarkers such as oxidative stress markers, gene expression analysis, and DNA damage assessments, to provide deeper insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic toxicity.