BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN Tilapia guineensis EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract

Biochemical changes in Tilapia guineensis exposed to Paraquat Dichloride at various concentrations of 0.00 control, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mg/L was carried out to determine the levels of  alterations  in fish exposed to this chemical. A total of 180 T.guineensis were used for the study. Blood samples were collected from the exposed fish and were  analyzed with Randox test kits Results from the study indicated that the values of metabolites such as   creatinine, total bilirubin and total protein significantly reduced (P<0.05)  in the exposed fish when compared to the control values, while significant elevation (P < 0.05) was observed in urea. The antioxidants analysis showed that the values of SOD and GSH reduced significantly (P<0.05), while CAT and LPO increased in both sizes when compared to the control. Also, the enzymes analysis showed that all the enzymes under consideration were significantly (P<0.05) elevated when compared to the control values. Moreover, the values of electrolytes  such as Na⁺ and K⁺ ions significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the exposed fish when compared to the control values, while significant reduction (P < 0.05) of Ca²⁺   was equally observed in the treated fish  and no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the values of  Cl^- between the control and exposed fish. In conclusion the chemical caused some changes in the biochemical profiles of exposed fish.