Metal Induced Oxidative Stress in Fishes: A Review

Abstract

Fishes when exposed to various contaminants, particularly metals in their habitat can induce oxidative stress. In fishes, metals contamination results in oxidative stress by promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation through redox cycling and impairing antioxidant defenses. ROS are harmful to all forms of aquatic life and can damage tissues and cellular components.Higher amount ofROS lead to varying degree of oxidative damage to the fish tissues including lipid peroxidation, protein and DNA oxidation as well as enzyme inactivation through different mechanisms as observed in different fish species. The present comprehension of how metals contribute to the onset of oxidative stress in fish is summed up in this review.