Purpose: The effect of low level cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co) gamma radiation on the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was evaluated by observing their hemocyte counts and biochemical parameters.
Materials and methods: Prawns were exposed to 3, 30, 300 and 3000 milligray (mGy) dose levels and their tissues of gills, hepatopancreas and muscle were analyzed.
Results: The results showed that the number of hemocytes in the hemolymph and concentrations of protein and carbohydrate were significantly reduced in irradiated groups than compared to the control prawn. Increased aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Acetyl choline esterase (AChE) in the irradiated groups reflects tissue damage.
Conclusions: Hence, this study concludes that even low level of ionizing radiation (⁶⁰Co gamma) can cause acute damages in gills, hepatopancreas and muscles in irradiated groups.