Nickel used in industries when released into the water bodies affects the biota. Histopathalogical alterations were seen in kidney due to chronic exposure of the fish, Labeo rohita to the nickel chloride 4mg/l concentration which is 1/10^th of its 96 h LC₅₀ value, for 30 days. The primary site of tissue damage was noticed in the form of edema and loss of interstitial tissue in case of the experimental fish. After ten days of exposure to nickel chloride, the cells lining the uriniferous tubules appeared swollen and vacuolated. Their nuclei were also hypertrophied. Hydropic degeneration was seen at some places. Fishes exposed to sublethal concentration of nickel chloride for thirty days exhibited haemorrhage in the glomeruli. Nephrosis and advanced vacuolation was observed. Tubular and interstitial tissue was seen disintegrating. Disruption of the tubular cells resulted as the kidney had been induced to function actively under pollution stress to eliminate the toxicants. The accumulation of heavy metal salt and its degraded products might have a direct effect on enzymes of nuclear matrix, damaging the renal nuclei.

Keyword:Nickel, Labeo rohita, Kidney, Nephrosis

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