Effect of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase in Erythrocytes of Catfish (Heteropneustes Fossilis Bloch.) Exposed to Cadmium

Effect of sublethal concentration of cadmium chloride (12 ppm; 10% of 96h LC₅₀) in erythrocytes of catfish was studied for a period of 5, 10, 20 and 45 days. It was found that the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red blood cells (RBC) significantly decreased after 5 and 10 days of cadmium exposure. However, the SOD activity increased after 20 and 45 days of cadmium treatment. Elevated activity of catalase (CAT) was found in erythrocytes of cadmium treated fish after 45 days. These results indicate oxidative stress and cell damage in the exposed fish.