IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 8, Issue 8 Ver. II (Aug. 2014), PP 28-35 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 28 | Page Curative effect of Vitamin C on the Variation in Biochemical and Histopathological Parameters Induced by Copper Exposure in the Teleost Fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792). B. Girish Kumar 1 , S. Bijoy Nandan 2 *, T. Archana Kumari 3 and K. Sajeevan 3 Postgraduate and Research Department of Zoology, 1 NSS Hindu College,Changanacherry, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry 2 School of Marine Sciences,Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue Cochin 682016, Kerala, India Centre for Marine Sciences and Technology 3 M.S.University,Rajakkamangalam,Tirunelveli,TamilNadu. Abstract: The biochemical and histopathological alterations in the blood and liver of the teleost fish, Anabas testudineus subjected to two sub-lethal concentrations of copper and the capacity of vitamin C to counteract the toxicity induced perturbations were investigated. The 96 hour LC 50 value of copper for A. testudineus was determined by Probit method and was found to be 1.74 mg/L. The blood and liver samples were collected from copper exposed and vitamin supplemented media on the 7 th ,14 th ,21 st and 28 th day of exposure. Copper exposure significantly increased (p˃0.0001) the activity of biomarkers of hepatotoxicity such as GOT (Glutamate oxalate transaminase) and GPT (Glutamate pyruvate transaminase) in serum and liver compared to vitamin supplemented fishes.The decrease in serum and liver protein of copper exposed fishes justifies increased energy demand due to copper induced oxidative stress. The liver of copper treated fish showed histopathological alterations such as degeneration of hepatocytes,cell necrosis, inflammation with sinusoid dilation,increased incidence of kupffer cells and vacuole formation. Vitamin administration was effective in improving the physiological and histological integrity in copper intoxicated fishes.The present study shows that copper is harmful to Anabas testudineus even at sub-lethal concentrations and it’s enrichment in water and sediment is a dangerous threat to aquatic life. Keywords: Copper,GOT,GPT, histopathology, Vitamin C I. Introduction Industrial effluents contributing to aquatic pollution comprise a vast array of toxic substances in which heavy metals are of special concern. Heavy metals are of greatest concern because of their capacity to induce environmental stress and the tendency of accumulation often in excess of the recommended threshold limit values [1]. Indiscriminate discharge of these wastes alter the quality of aquatic ecosystem in general and the fauna and flora in particular. The toxic effects may result from bio-concentration of the metals and their consequent binding with biologically active constituents of the body such as lipids, amino acids, enzymes and proteins [2].The Heavy metal and pesticide contamination of aquatic ecosystems has increased in the last decades due to extensive use of them in agricultural, chemical and industrial processes that are becoming threats to living organisms.Under heavy metal stress situations the fish body elicits immediate responses recognized as primary and secondary responses. The primary response is the perception of an altered state by the central nervous system and the release of the stress hormones like cortisol and catecholamines [3] and secondary responses include the consequence of the released stress hormones [4] causing changes in the blood and tissue chemistry [5]. Copper is an abundant trace metal found at varying concentrations in nearly all aquatic ecosystems [6]. Copper sulphate is widely used as an algaecide for controlling phytoplankton in fish ponds and lakes as well as a herbicide used in aquatic weed control [7]. Copper is used in industries manufacturing organic chemicals, fertilizers, iron and steel works, electrical works, antifouling paints, pulp and paper industries,pesticides, fungicides and automobile accessories.Intensive industrial developments in the last few decades have increased the concentration of copper in aquatic ecosystems and that affected fish and deteriorate the natural resources.As an instance,Periyar,the longest river in Kerala has a burden of copper in water and sediments as 0.075-2.59 microgram/litre and 0.055-4.32 microgram/gram respectively [8]. Eventhough most of the heavy metals are micronutrients, they exert a prominent role in environmrental deterioration.Industrial effluents and sewage are the major sources of copper in aquatic ecosystems. Copper is an essential micronutrient for all organisms and, in the case of fish, is acquired by the gills from the surrounding water, as well as from the diet by the digestive tract [9]. It is necessary for the synthesis of haemoglobin and act as a component of cytochrome oxidase [10]. Elevated aquatic copper levels cause a range of negative effects on fish. Many of these responses are in part due