Biochemical response of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) to sublethal concentrations of mercury chloride with supplementation of selenium and vitamin E

Abstract

The present investigation aimed to determine the toxicological effects of mercury chloride on biochemical parameters of the widely consumed African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Adult specimens of Clarias gariepinus were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.04 and 0.12 ppm) of mercury chloride for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Empirical data of results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the effects of mercury, selenium, vitamin E and exposure periods. The mean values of Na+, Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT and ALP were significantly increased from the control values, while mean values of K+, Glucose and Triglyceride were significantly decreased from the control values. Selenium and Vitamin E supplementation play appositive role in detoxification of mercury toxicity specially the low dose. The results suggest that mercury chloride can negatively affect the physiology of fish. It was observed that supplementation of selenium and vitamin E decreases the toxic effect of mercury.