Effects of Zn and Cd on condition factor (CF), hepatosomatic (HIS) and gonadosomatic (GSI) of Oreochromis
niloticus, after exposing the animals to 10 % of their LC50
values, namely 6.0 ppm Zn and 1.6 ppm Cd, over 7, 15,
and 30 days. Standard mathematical formulations were
used in determining the mentioned parameters.
Cadmium, which is a toxic metal, increased GSI and decreased HSI and CF at the beginning of the experiments. The
decrease in HSI and CF continued with increasing exposure
periods. Zinc, however, decreased all three parameters compared with control at the end of experiments (P<0.05).
Changes in CF, GSI and HIS might reflect metabolic
and physiologic disturbances under the effect of metals.