STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF MICROPLASTICS (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL) ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGY OF LABEO ROHITA

The present study aimed to assess the physical effects of polyethylene glycol microplastics on growth performance and haematological parameters in freshwater Labeo rohita. Fish exposed to different microplastics concentrations T0 was treated as a control group while the T1, T2 and T3 were exposed to 1, 10 and 100 mg/L of microplastics, respectively, for six weeks. Ten individuals were stocked in each experimental tank. Growth performance was measured weekly regarding weight gain, specific growth rate, condition factor, total length and survival rate. In contrast, haematological parameters i.e., RBCs, WBCs, differential WBCs, results showed significant effects of polyethene glycol on growth performance and haematology of fish. Maximum weight, length gain, specific growth rate and condition factor were observed in T0 while the minimum values were observed in T3. RBCs, haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH and MCHC were significantly increased in treatment T3 as compared to control group T0. Platelets numbers in Labeo rohita were decreased and WBCs were significantly increased in treatment T3 as compare to control group T0. Differential cells showed fluctuations in all treated groups (T1, T2 and T3). Results suggested that exposure of fish to high concentrations of polyethylene glycol microplastics have negative impacts on the fish physiology.