BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF TOXIC LOAD AND ADAPTATIVE REACTIONS OF POND FISH TO MYCOTOXINS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58407/bht.1.26.4Keywords:
mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1, T-2 toxin, pond fish, energy metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, lipid peroxidation, adaptive responses, biochemical markersAbstract
Mycotoxins, as secondary metabolites of micromycetes, are among the most dangerous biological contaminants of feed raw materials and compound feeds for fish. In pond aquaculture systems, their impact is associated with disturbances of metabolic homeostasis in hydrobionts, reduced productivity, and the formation of biosafety risks. Aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin are considered particularly hazardous for fish due to their pronounced hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and pro-oxidant effects. In this context, the identification of informative biochemical markers that allow assessment of toxic load and adaptive responses in fish organisms under mycotoxicosis conditions is of significant relevance.
Purpose of the work. The aim of the study was to identify informative biochemical markers of toxic load and adaptive responses in pond fish exposed to mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin, through the analysis of changes in energy metabolism indicators, lipid peroxidation intensity, and metabolic processes in tissues of fish of different species and ages.
Methodology. The study was based on experimental modeling of mycotoxic exposure in scaly carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758) of different age groups. The effects of aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin were investigated at concentrations corresponding to two maximum permissible levels. The state of energy metabolism was assessed by determining the content of adenylate nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP), adenylate energy charge, and indicators of the adenylate kinase reaction. The intensity of lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Metabolic processes were analyzed using indicators of phosphate and energy metabolism in fish tissues.
Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in a comprehensive approach to evaluating biochemical markers of mycotoxic load with consideration of fish species and age. For the first time, the relationship between disturbances in nucleic acid metabolism, activation of lipid peroxidation, and adaptive restructuring of energy metabolism in cyprinid fish under the action of aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin has been demonstrated. Interspecific and age-related differences in fish sensitivity to mycotoxic exposure were established.
Conclusions. It was found that exposure to aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin leads to a decrease in ATP content, an increase in ADP and AMP concentrations, a reduction in adenylate energy charge, and activation of lipid peroxidation in fish tissues. The detected changes exhibit both destructive and adaptive characteristics and reflect metabolic stress under toxic conditions. Crucian carp and young-of-the-year fish were shown to be more sensitive to mycotoxin exposure compared to scaly carp and older age groups. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of using indicators of nucleic acid metabolism, lipid peroxidation intensity, and metabolic shifts as informative biochemical markers of toxic load and adaptive responses in pond fish within aquaculture systems.
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