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Histological and hematological changes to Clarias gariepinus juveniles exposed to acute doses of Emamectin benzoate in a static bioassay

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Abstract

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a potent neurotoxic pesticide, extensively used in agriculture and aquaculture in Nigeria. The knowledge of its toxicological impact to C. gariepinus in Nigeria is scarce. Thus, the investigation was designed to uncover its 96 h LC50, safe level to aquatic media, histological impact on fish liver, gill and hematological changes in the blood parameters. 96 h LC50 was 0.34 mg L−1. Safe level of EMB was 0.034 mg L−1. Dose dependent liver degenerations were characterized by; Congestion of the central vein by inflammatory cells, pyknotic nuclei of hepatocytes, coagulation necrosis, focal necrosis, dilations of sinusoidal spaces and infiltration of periportal regions by inflammatory cells. Dose dependent changes in gill were characterized by; mucus secretion, shrinkage of secondary lamellae, hyperplasia, occlusion of secondary lamellae, degeneration of gill cartilage, necrosis of respiratory epithelia and erosion of secondary lamellae. Red blood cell indices decreased minimally at the end of the 96 h exposure. White blood cell count (WBCC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) elevated in three treatments. Neutrophils decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05), basophils, eosinophils and monocytes showed mixed tendencies. The findings of this investigation imply that C. garipinus exposed to EMB may cause dose and time-dependent changes in the liver and gill histology as well as alterations in the fish’s hematological profile, all of which were harmful to the fish’s health. To avoid negative effects on fish in nearby aquatic settings, it is advised that the use of EMB be monitored and limited.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

    Emmanuel Ogueji & Joshua Ekpenyong

  2. Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

    Joseph Nwakpa, Chukwunonso Elo & Ugochinyere Agbo

  3. Department of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria

    Michael Olaolu

  4. Department of Fisheries, Moddibo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

    Abubaka Yaji

  5. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra, Nigeria

    Irom Okey

  6. Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Nigeria

    Gabriel Amana

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  1. Emmanuel Ogueji
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  2. Joseph Nwakpa
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  3. Joshua Ekpenyong
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  4. Michael Olaolu
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  5. Abubaka Yaji
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Contributions

“Emmanuel Ogueji and Joseph Nwakpa contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection was done by Chukwunonso Elo and Ugochinyere Agbo. Analysis were performed by, Joshua Ekpenyong, and Michael Olaolu. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Emmanuel Ogueji and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript”. E.O and A.Y. did the semi quantitative analysis of histopathological changes in the tissues. They also wrote the main manuscript text. J.N. contributed in the design of the work and the analysis of water chemistry. C.E. was responsible for the collection of fish blood, and gathering of data for hematological parameters. U.A. collected gill samples and did the histological analysis. I.O. and G.A. collected the liver samples and did the histological analysis. M.O. did the analysis of blood parameters. J.E. did the bar chart for blood parameters and probit analysis for 96 h LC30-90. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emmanuel Ogueji.

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All experimental trials were approved by the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike (AEFUNAI) ethics clearance committee in accordance with the university’s animal welfare act and the National Environmental Standard Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act of Nigeria on the protection of animals against cruelty (Ref: FUNAI/SEN/ EBC/18/VOL.1/10).

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Ogueji, E., Nwakpa, J., Ekpenyong, J. et al. Histological and hematological changes to Clarias gariepinus juveniles exposed to acute doses of Emamectin benzoate in a static bioassay. Ecotoxicology 32, 569–582 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-023-02662-7

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