The lead accumulation and hematological findings in juvenile rock fish Sebastes schlegelii exposed to the dietary lead (II) concentrations

• The profile of Pb accumulation of Sebastes schlegeli was kidney>liver>spleen>intestine>gill>muscle.
• The growth rate was considerably inhibited by the dietary Pb exposure.
• The notable alteration was observed in hematological indicators.

Juvenile rockfish (mean length 14.2±1.9 cm, and mean weight 57.3±5.2 g) were exposed for 4 weeks with the different levels of dietary lead (Pb2+) at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg/L. The exposure concentration and period of Pb have induced significant amount of it the specific tissues of rockfish. The highest Pb accumulation was observed in the kidney tissue by the dietary lead exposure. The growth rate and hepatosomatic index were considerably inhibited over 120 mg/kg. The hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) counts, hematocrit (Ht) value, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were significantly decreased over 60 mg/kg Pb concentration. In the inorganic components, the values of calcium and magnesium in plasma were significantly decreased. The glucose and cholesterol values were notably increased, whereas total protein was decreased. The enzyme components, glutamic oxalate transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), were significantly elevated by the dietary lead exposure, but no change was observed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP).