Alterations In Certain Biochemical Parameters Due To Helminth Infection In Labeo Rohita At Bhojpur, India

Abstract

Background: The current investigation was conducted to examine alterations in certain biochemical parameters resulting from helminth parasites in Labeo rohita collected from various sites along the Ganga River at Bhojpur, Bihar, India.

Materials and Methods: The host fish were found to harbor various helminth parasites in the intestine, stomach, gills, and skin. Biochemical parameters, including glycogen, protein, and lipid, were measured using standard methods.

Observations and Results:

The glycogen content of uninfected Labeo rohita ranged from 11.80 mg/g in March 2023 to 24.10 mg/g in December 2024. In comparison, infected fish values range from 6.10 mg/g to 19.0 mg/g. When evaluating the impact of parasitic infection, the percentage reduction in glycogen varied from 20.90% to 48.74% indicating a moderately significant change (t = 3.64, p<0.01).  Controlled fish showed a range from 12.90 g/100g to 21.63 g/100g. But, in infected fish, the range of protein content was from 6.09 g/100g to 14.62 g/100g. These findings indicate that the percentage reduction in protein due to parasitic infection ranged from 31.23% to 52.79%. Correspondingly, these variations in protein content due to infection were highly significant (t = 5.99, p<0.001). The lipid content in Labeo rohita ranges from 10.39% to 14.86%. In contrast, infected fish showed variations from 7.15% to 9.80%. The study also quantified the reduction in lipid content due to parasitic infections from 27.88% to 42.38%. The percentage variation due to parasitic infections was found to be moderately significant (t = 3.28, p<0.01).

Conclusions: The variation in biochemical reactions in response to the parasitic infection Labeo rohita confirms resistance to the potentially stressful conditions. These parameters were studied further to determine their potential as markers of infection.