Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Some Hematological Indices of Rainbow Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

This study examined the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on some hematological tests of Rainbow catfish as a valuable ornamental and food fish species. 40 fish (average size 12 g) were exposed to different concentrations (1 and 20 μg/L) of AgNPs (average hydrodynamic diameter 54.8 nm) and silver nitrate under constantrenewal condition for 10 days plus a control group (10 fish). At the end of the first and tenth days of exposure, blood samples were taken and conventional hematological tests measured. The mean red blood cell counts (RBC), hematocrit and hemoglobin were increased in 20 μg/L of AgNPs on first day (P<0.05). There was, however, no differences between treatments at the last day of exposure (P>0.05). In both first and last, there was no changes in the secondary hematological indices (P>0.05). High dose of AgNPs in last day led to increase of white blood cell count (WBC) relative to the control group and first day (P<0.05). Significant changes in differential white blood cell count (DWBC) were also observed of AgNPs and silver nitrate in both times (P<0.05). On the tenth day, glucose in both AgNPs treatments was increased (P<0.05). Significant changes in RBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC, DWBC and glucose in high dose of AgNPs may indicate toxic effect of AgNPs.