Abstract
Copper sulphate is widely used not only in livestock production especially in the treatment of foot rot in small ruminants but also in aquaculture as algaecide and an ectoparasiticide in hatcheries. Meanwhile, it is a common environmental contaminant of water bodies, with carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects in humans and animals. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the toxic effects of copper sulphate and the protective activities of vitamin E on haematological and biochemical parameters as well as oxidative stress status in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
 Sixty juvenile African catfish with an average weight of 120g were used for the study. They were assigned into six groups (A-F) consisting of ten fish per group. Group A served as the control group and was fed with normal pelletized fish feed only, group B was fed with Vitamin E-supplemented feed only, groups C and D were exposed to copper sulphate (20mg/L and 5mg/L) respectively, plus normal pelletized fish feed while groups E and F were exposed to copper sulphate (20mg/L and 5mg/L), respectively, plus Vitamin E-supplemented feed (240mg/kg feed). Blood samples were collected for haematology and plasma biochemical parameters while gills, liver and kidney samples were collected for evaluation markers of oxidative stress. Exposure to copper sulphate led to a significant decrease in PCV, RBC, Hb concentration, MCV, MCH and total WBC when compared with the unexposed control and those fed with vitamin E-supplemented feed. Furthermore, exposure to copper sulphate caused liver and kidney damages and cell impairment by increasing plasma ALT, AST and ALP activities. It also led to increased oxidative stress as the concentrations of antioxidant endogenous enzymes - GPx, GST and GSH were depleted while potentiating lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical generation. The changes in the haematological, biochemical and antioxidant parameters were restored in the fish fed with vitamin E-supplemented feed.
 In conclusion, the study showed that exposure to copper sulphate is toxic to African catfish, causing anaemia and liver damage through free radical generation and depletion of antioxidant defence system. Vitamin – E supplementation is therefore recommended during the use of CuSO4 in aquaculture. Release of the compound to the environment must however be avoided at all cost.
Highlights
Sixty juvenile African catfish with an average weight of 120g were used for the study
The study demonstrated the toxic effect of copper sulphate, which was evidenced by the significant reduction in the growth performance parameters
Our findings showed that the reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione-S-Transferase activities in the gills, liver and kidney of African catfish exposed to copper sulphate were significantly lower when compared to those fed with vitamin E-supplemented feed
Summary
Sixty juvenile African catfish with an average weight of 120g were used for the study. Bioaccumulation in the body of organisms, leads to disruption of biological food chain and eventually causing deleterious health effects in the consumers of aquatic products including humans [5], making it important to assess and quantify associated risks of environmental pollution and degradation to aquatic organisms Heavy metals such as copper affect the vital physiological functions through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical generation upon exposure [6]. The use of copper sulphate in the control of algae and other parasites in water requires high concentrations which are recommended at 50 μg/L minimal dose [13] This practice can pose acute risks to various organisms resulting from direct water application and run-offs from fields adjacent to water bodies [14]
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