The aim of this study was to assess the glycogen content in the muscle and liver tissues of the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cd and Pb over 28 days of exposure and 14 days of depuration. Muscle and liver glycogen levels in A. testudineus after Pb or Cd treatment were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of A. testudineus in the control group during the exposure phase. In the recovery phase, muscle, and liver glycogen levels in A. testudineus increased in all Pb treatment groups, whereas they continuously decreased in all Cd treatment groups. Fish affected by Cd had obvious difficulties recovering from the stress response. It was concluded that exposure to the tested concentrations of Pb and Cd could be a potent endocrine activity disruptor, which may lead to adverse impacts on the health of A. testudineus.
Keywords: Anabas testudineus; Cadmium; Glycogen; Lead; Liver; Muscle.
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