Impact Of Ikhueniro Dumpsite Leachate On Blood Profile And Blood Film Of Wistar Rats

Abstract

The challenge of environmental toxicity and the associated unrelenting efforts of man to abate or eradicate its hazards are lifelong efforts. The present study investigated the impact of Ikhueniro dumpsite leachate in Benin City, Nigeria on the hematological blood profile and blood film of Wistar rats. A total of 30 Wistar rats were acclimatized for two weeks and randomly distributed into three groups A to C; group A served as control, while groups B and C were orally administered Leachate only and Leachate + Abatement (Dialium guineenses aqueous leaf extract), respectively, once every 48 hours for 30 days. After the exposure period, the surviving rats in group A and half of the rats in group B and C were examined and sacrificed. The experiment continued with the remaining rats in groups B and C. Group B was given only clean water and C only abatement following ealier stated schedule, after which the surviving rats were sacrificed and samples collected. Hematological analysis showed that leachate administration in Wistar rats caused an increase in white blood cells (27.65%), platelet count (13.35%), and platelet crit (45.45%); with a decrease in red blood cell count (7.52%), hemoglobin (5.40%) and hematocrit (6.12%) of Wistar rats when compared to the control. Geimsa-stained blood film revealed the presence of polymorphs and basophils in the blood film of rats administered dumpsite leachate. Nevertheless, when leachate administration was stopped in the group of rats where it was previously administered, there was a slight improvement in some blood hematological indices. However, the administration of Dialiumguineense leaf extracts better-improved blood hematological indices. The findings of this study indicate that Ikhueniro dumpsite leachate negatively impacted blood hematological indices in Wistar rats. Dumpsite leachate should be handled and treated carefully to avoid potential health hazards in animals.