Journal of Environmental Biology

Effects of 4-Nonylphenol exposure on the liver and head kidney histopathology and serum biochemistry in Channa punctatus (Bloch)

M. Das^1,2, R. Sinha², N. Sharma², R. Das² and D.K. Mandal²*     

¹Department of Zoology, Bolpur College, Bolpur-731 204, Birbhum, India

²Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati (A Central University) Santiniketan-731 235, India

Received: 02 December 2025                   Revised: 03 April 2026                   Accepted: 27 May 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : dkmandal.vb@gmail.com                    *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2492-7180

Abstract

Aim: To assess the toxicological risks of sublethal exposure of 4-NP to fish, Channa punctatus.

Methodology: Static bioassay experiment was conducted to estimate 96 hr LC₅₀ value of 4-NP for fish, Channa punctatus and for sub-chronic toxicity test, fish were subjected to sublethal exposure to 4-NP (0.41 mg l^-1, 0.82 mg l^-1 and 1.64 mg l^-1 of 4-NP) for 14 days and 28 days. Serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and head kidney of treated and control fish were assessed.

Results: Estimated LC₅₀ value of 8.22 mg l^-1 confirmed that 4-NP is toxic to fish. Condition factor (K) and hepato-somatic indices (HSI) were significantly decreased following 4-NP exposure. The findings showed that dose dependently the treated fish had significantly higher serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminase enzymes, total protein, globulin, glucose and cholesterol in serum than control. Exposure to 4-NP resulted in dose dependent changes in the liver histology including fat accumulation, intercellular vacuole formation, necrosis and hepatocyte hypertrophy. Inflammatory cells infiltered in the liver tissue following tissue damage. Whereas, in the head-kidney, 4-NP exposure caused degeneration and vacuole formation in the hematopoietic tissue, blood congestion, and increase in the melano-macrophage centers (MMCs).

Interpretation: A substantial tissue damage in the liver and head kidney followed by consequent alterations in blood biochemical parameters, metabolic disruption and immunomodulation strongly highlight the toxic potential of 4-NP to the fish health and survival fitness.

Key words: 4-Nonylphenol, Channa punctatus, Histopathology, Immunomodulation, Serum biochemistry

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