Histopathological and biochemical evidence of hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by cadmium and zinc in the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, a globally important cultured prawn species, is an ideal animal for studying the impairment caused by the effects of heavy metals that are often detected in coastal areas. In this study, L. vannamei was exposed to different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) for up to 28 d. Histopathological alterations in the hepatopancreas were observed in L. vannamei after long-term exposure to Cd and Zn. Hepatopancreatic injury was further confirmed by the inductions of two biochemical markers, hemolymphatic glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT). It was notable that L. vannamei was able to repair its hepatopancreas from the damage caused by Zn, which was evidenced by the results of the histopathological observations, determinations of tissue metal concentrations, and examination of GOT and GPT levels.