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Toxicopathological effects of acute cadmium chloride exposure of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

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Abstract

Object

There are increasing levels of global cadmium (Cd2+) aquatic environmental pollution with untold consequences following either sudden exposure to large concentrations or prolong exposure to low doses. The investigation of sudden exposure to large concentrations of Cd2+ toxicities in exposed fish, especially in the hardy and adaptable Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus) with accessory breathing organs will further elucidate on its toxicity pathways given the spates of industrial accidents-induced environmental pollution.

Methods

The experiment involved the use of 126 adult C. gariepinus exposed to various concentrations of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) over a 96-h period, in triplicates, following 14-day acclimatization period.

Results

 Initial behavioral agitations progressed to depression, including signs of respiratory distress, neurotoxicity, and death in some of the exposed fish. A median lethal concentration (LC50) established for CdCl2 was 10.48 mgL−1 in the exposed adult C. gariepinus. The exposure caused sudden deterioration in fish water quality with severe gill cellular damage, which provoked variable hematological responses in the exposed fish.

Conclusion

 Cadmium chloride was more toxic to C. gariepinus adults than already reported for C. gariepinus fingerlings and juveniles based on the established LC50 values. Sudden exposure to large concentration of CdCl2 has the propensity to negatively impact fish health indirectly (changes in fish water quality) and directly (hemotoxicity and cellular damages).

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mr. Raphael Omerah of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria, for his contributions.

The University Research Foundation (The University of Abuja Institutional Based Research Grant with Ref. no.: TETFUND/DESS/UNI/ABUJA/RP/VOL. 1) supported this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Samson E. Abalaka, Oremeyi Z. Tenuche, Nuhu A. Sani & Idoko S. Idoko

  2. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Fatima O. Oyelowo

  3. Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Motunrayo G. Akande

  4. Department of Animal Production and Health, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Bolade T. Adeyemo

  5. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Adamu O. Ogbe

  6. Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Sunday A. Ejeh

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  1. Samson E. Abalaka
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  2. Fatima O. Oyelowo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samson E. Abalaka.

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Conflict of interest

Samson E. Abalaka, Fatima O. Oyelowo, Motunrayo G. Akande, Oremeyi Z. Tenuche, Nuhu A. Sani, Bolade T. Adeyemo, Idoko S. Idoko, Adamu O. Ogbe, and Sunday A. Ejeh declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The University of Abuja Ethics Committee on Animal Use (UAECAU) approved the work (Reference no.: UAECAU/2018/012).

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Samson E. Abalaka contributed equally to this work.

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Abalaka, S.E., Oyelowo, F.O., Akande, M.G. et al. Toxicopathological effects of acute cadmium chloride exposure of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 14, 25–32 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-021-00113-6

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