Fish in focus: Navigating organ damage assessment through analytical avenues – A comprehensive review

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems, critical for biodiversity and food production, confront escalating threats from anthropogenic activities like pollution and climate change, impacting fish health. This review outlines various assays used to study organ damage in fish, ranging from traditional histopathology to advanced molecular and biochemical methods. The aim is to guide researchers in selecting suitable assays for their specific questions, considering the advantages and limitations of each technique. Covered methods include histopathological assessment, biomarker analysis, genotoxicity assays, oxidative stress indicators, and non-invasive imaging. The review explores their application in monitoring environmental stressors' impacts on fish organs, emphasizing emerging trends like omics technologies and non-destructive imaging for comprehensive assessments. These innovations hold promise for early detection and understanding the implications on fish populations and ecosystem health.

Keywords

• Aquatic ecosystems
• Fish health
• Environmental stressors
• Organ damage assessment
• Biomarker analysis