Accumulation and response to stress in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) on exposure to high concentrations of lead and cadmium in water

In this study, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were used as chemical stressors. Healthy A. testudineus were exposed to Pb (20, 30, and 40 mg/L) and Cd (3, 5, and 10 mg/L) for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to assess the response of A. testudineus elicited by these metals. The tendency of Pb and Cd accumulation in the tissues of A. testudineus was as follows: gill >> liver > muscle for Pb and liver >> gill > muscle for Cd. Endocrine stress response was characterized by varying the levels of cortisol and glucose plasma. Exposure to both Pb and Cd caused significantly increase levels of plasma cortisol (p