Abstract
A total of 180 Clarias gariepinus juveniles comprising of 90 male and female each, were exposed to different concentrations of combined atrazine and metolachlor (0.00 mg/L-control, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 mg/L) for 14 days to assess the influence of sex on the response of the fish to this chemical under laboratory conditions. The result obtained revealed that the female fish in the control group had an increase value of haemoglobin (Hb) than the male, while in the experimental group the values of Hb in male fish were consistently higher than the females. The comparative values of red blood cell (RBC) indicated that the female fish had higher values of RBC than the male in all concentrations of exposure. In packed cell volume (PCV), female fish were higher than the males. In assessment of male and female response to the toxicant under consideration, the values of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils and monocytes increased significantly with increasing concentrations of the chemical with the female values higher than the males. Also, the values of lymphocytes, platelets, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) in the exposed fish indicated a significant reduction, which was more noticeable in female than the male fish. However, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were within the same range for both sexes. Overall, it appears that the males were more responsive to the stress of chemical exposure than the females.
Highlights
Water contamination has become an issue in recent times, causing a great damage to the aquatic ecosystems
The results of the haematological parameters of male and female of C. gariepinus exposed to Atrazine and Metalochlor for 14 days are shown in Figures 1 to 11
In this study, disparity was recorded in the values of the various blood parameters between male and female in the fish exposed to atrazine and metalochlor
Summary
Water contamination has become an issue in recent times, causing a great damage to the aquatic ecosystems. Wastes generated by industries and homes find their way into the aquatic environment Most of these water bodies have become polluted consequent of consistent discharge of these refuse into them and making it unfavourable for aquatic organism especially fish [1]. Fresh and marine water pollution by toxicants released from industrial discharge is a regular source of public health concern especially in urban centers [2]. These pollutants range from herbicides as runoffs from farms, to organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from oil explorative activities, and heavy metals from industries [3]. According to Makinde [6] most of these run offs from farms and fumigation use, consists of a large number of toxic substances, such as arsenic, benzene, chlorine, dioxins, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and methanol
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