Sex-specific elemental accumulation and histopathology of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) from Garaši reservoir (Serbia) with human health risk assessment

Accumulation of 26 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn) was analyzed in the gills, liver, and muscle of pikeperch males and females from Garaši reservoir using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Histopathological (HP) changes in the gills and liver, and human health risk were also analyzed. The gills were most affected by metal pollution in both sexes. The concentrations of Hg in muscle tissue of four males, and Cd in two females and two males exceeded the maximum allowed concentrations. Statistical tests only revealed significant differences regarding the concentrations of Mg, K, and S in the muscle (higher in males) and Al, Ag, and Mn in the liver (higher in females) of individuals between sexes. Low to moderate levels of pathological changes were recorded for the gills and liver in both sexes. Significant differences between sexes were observed for inflammatory index of gills (I_GI) and HP index of gills (I_G), males had higher values compared to females, and for liver necrosis, where females had higher values compared to males. Gills were less affected by HP changes compared to the liver. There was no significant non-cancerogenic and cancerogenic health risk due to the consumption of pikeperch meat from the Garaši reservoir. However, women are under greater risk by consuming the meat of both male and female individuals, probably due to a longer lifetime and lesser body weight compared to the men.