Studies on the Safety Evaluation of Radurized Indian Mackerel

A 90-day feeding study with Wistar rats, including single reproduction study, has been carried out to evaluate the safety of radurized (150 krad) Indian mackerel. Three groups of animals were given stock rations, unirradiated mackerel diet or irradiated mackerel diet. Body weight gains for males and females fed the irradiated mackerel diet were comparable with the male and female rats given the unirradiated diet throughout the study. The group fed on stock rations showed relatively lower body weight gains. Food efficiency ratios were similar in rats fed irradiated and unirradiated mackerel diets. No intergroup differences were observed pertaining to the fertility of males or females that could be attributed to the ingestion of irradiated fish. The numbers of pups delivered and retained during lactation periods by females fed irradiated or unirradiated diets were similar. No significant differences pertaining to the haematological profiles were seen in animals belonging to different groups. Likewise, detailed clinical chemistry data and other biochemical investigations involving various serum and liver enzymes and other constituents failed to show any significant changes. Relative and absolute weights of various organs and gross pathological data also showed no significant differences between animals fed on unirradiated and irradiated mackerel diets. (author)