Abstract :
Present study aimed at investigating effects of cadmium on blood electrolytes of Indian skipper frog, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis. Frogs were subjected to cadmium chloride for short-term (18.432 mg/L i.e. 0.8 of 96 h LC50 value) and long-term (4.608 mg/L i.e. 0.2 of 96 h LC50 value). Frogs were sacrificed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in short-term and after 5, 10, 15 and 30 days in long-term experiment. Blood samples were analyzed for calcium and inorganic phosphate levels. Serum calcium levels of frogs exposed to cadmium for 24 h exhibit no alteration. After 48 h cadmium exposure level records a decrease which persists till 96 h. Serum inorganic phosphate levels of cadmium exposed frogs remain unaffected up to 48 h. Thereafter, values exhibit a progressive decrease from 72 h onwards. Frogs exposed to cadmium for 5 days exhibit no change in serum calcium. Thereafter, levels decrease progressively from day 10 till the end of the experiment (30 days 3). The serum phosphate levels of the frog following cadmium exposure remain unchanged till 10 days. Phosphate levels decrease progressively from 15 days onwards. Cadmium exposure leading to disturbances in serum calcium and phosphate levels may affect vital functions and even survival of frogs in nature.
Keyword :
Cadmium, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, serum calcium, serum inorganic phosphate, Indian skipper frog