Untitled

Abstract

The potential toxicity of multivitamins production effluent sourced from the discharge point of a pharmaceutical industry in Kwara State, Nigera was investigated using Clarias gariepinus. The growth performance, biochemistry of alterations and histopathological lesions in tissues and organs of post juvenile Clarias gariepinus was also analyzed. The impact of long term exposure to the effluent was evaluated using 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 % concentrations of the effluent for 21 days, following a range finding test. C. gariepinus exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of effluent showed increased growth performance and nutrient utilization at the 10% effluent concentration. Biochemical studies carried out on the gill, fin, liver and muscle showed that activities of anti-oxidative stress enzymes, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), were higher in the liver of the effluent exposed C. gariepinus when compared to other tissues. Behavioural changes observed in fish exposed to all concentration of the effluent and control was normal. Histopathological examination of C. gariepinus exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of the effluent showed severe degenerating changes in liver and gills than muscles and fin. In this study, the effluent had pronounced effect on the growth and enzymatic activities of studied tissues and organs of C. gariepinus. Conclusively, this study revealed that the multivitamins production effluent, although treated is still a potent contaminant to post juvenile C. gariepinus.