ENZYMATIC RESPONSES IN CLARIAS GARIEPINUS JUVENILES EXPOSED TO ATRAZINE IN THE LABORATORY

Abstract

Degradation of aquatic environment due to herbicides pollution has become a menace in recent years. Biochemical

parameter such as enzymes has become a valuable tool for assessment of pollution indices in fish. This study therefore

assesses the enzymes response in juvenile of Clarias gariepinus exposed to Atrazine in the laboratory. One hundred

and fifty (150) C.gariepinus of the same size range (mean length 11.74±2.64cm and mean weight 256.68±1.81g) were

exposed to Atrazine in the laboratory. Ten fish were introduced into 15 aquaria tanks of 1.5m×1m×0.5 dimension,

containing 0.00 (control), 0.05,0.10,0.5, and 0.20 of Atrazine for a period of 96 hours. Blood was extracted at 0hr,

24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs and 96hrs, the collected blood samples were stored in heparinized bottles for enzymes analysis. The

plasma was assayed for enzymes namely: aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), acid phosphate

(ACP), alkaline phosphates (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the exposed fish. Changes in enzymes response

were concentration dependent, as it increased significantly (p<0.05) with increased concentration of Atrazine solution

when compared to the control. The changes in enzyme activities observed in this study can be used as an indicator of

the stress in C.gariepinius exposed to different levels of Atrazine solution. These changes if persistent can lead to death

of fish and economic loss. There therefore the need for proper disposal of Atrazine when used as herbicides in

agriculture in the field, prior to its discharge into aquatic environments so as to reduce eco-toxicological problems and

health hazard to aquatic organisms.