Histomorphological Alterations in the Liver of Labeo rohita Exposed to Aflatoxin B1 and Quercetin-Enriched Diets

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aflatoxin B₁ and quercetin-enriched diets on histomorphological response of the liver, in freshwater fish Labeo rohita for 90 days. The fingerlings were divided into five groups (D1, control diet), AFB₁ 100 (D2), AFB₁ 25 QC (D3), AFB₁ 50 QC (D4), and AFB₁ 100 QC (D5). The study was carried out in fibre-reinforced plastic pools with three replicates for each group. After 90 days, fish from treatment were randomly caught, anaesthetized, and euthanized. Then, histological sections of the tissues were prepared. Results showed that fish exposed to 100 ppb AFB₁ showed cytoplasmic vacuolization in hepatocytes, hepatic tissue showing loss of membrane integrity resulting in the cell fusion along with diffused hepatocytes, hyperplasia, blood congestion, and invasion of nuclei in the central vein. However, fish diet supplementation of D3 led to a significant improvement in the histomorphological responses of the liver.