Background: Formaldehyde (FA) and oxytetracycline (OTC) are the chemicals commonly used in aquaculture to prevent or treat fish diseases due to protozoa, parasites, and bacteria.
Aim: The goal of the present study is to assess the liver injury and oxidative stress induced by exposure of sea bass (Dicentrarchuslabrax L) to therapeutic doses of FA (200 ml.m-3) and OTC (40 g.m-3) under the same conditions being applied in intensive aquaculture systems in Tunisia.
Methods: The liver histopathological survey was achieved after 5 and 10 days of exposure to FA, OTC separately or mixed. In parallel, liver catalase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess oxidative stress.
Results: Results showed that treatment with FA and OTC used alone or in combinations induced liver damage as measured by sinusoid dilatation, intensive vacuolization, blood congestion, and focal necrosis. Significant elevation in catalyze activity and MDA levels were also observed in liver homogenates by the treatment (p ≤ 005).
Conclusion: Combined treatment induced higher effects suggesting the critical hazards associated with FA and OTC when released to the environment.
Keywords: Formaldehyde; Liver histopathology; Oxidative damage; Oxytetracycline; Sea bass.