Effects of aluminium phosphide on the behaviour,haematology,oxidative stress biomarkers and biochemistry of african catfsh (Clarias gariepinus) juvenile

Aluminium phosphide is a cheap,effective and commonly used pesticide in agriculture for pest control in nigeria. this study investigated the effects of aluminium phosphide on the behaviour,haematology,oxidative stress biomarkers and biochemistry of african catfsh (c. gariepinus) juvenile on days 7,14,21 and 28. fish were exposed to 0.175,0.0875 and 0.035 mg/l corresponding to 1/10,1/20 and 1/50 of the 96 h lc50 value (1.75) of the pesticide. behavioral responses which include colouration of the fsh skin and opercula colouration were observed. aluminium phosphide elicited effects on the haematological parameters of the fsh such as a decrease in hb when compared to the control; reduction of mcv,mch and mchc to all exposed concentration of aluminium phosphide,signifcant increase in neutrophil,basophil,eosinophil and monocytes throughout the duration of exposure and decrease in the lymphocytes. the results on gill and liver tissues sampled showed concentration and time dependent signifcant increase (p < 0.005) in the values of malondialdehyde,catalase,superoxide dismutase,reduced glutathione,alkaline phosphatase (alp),alanine aminotransferase (ast) and aspartate aminotransferase (ast). similarly,aluminium phosphide enhanced levels of ast,alt and alp as both concentration and time dependent in elevation were recorded when compared to the control. the use of aluminium phosphide in agricultural felds near water bodies should be strongly monitored in view of the observed effects on this catfsh fsh physiology. the use of aluminium phosphide near water bodies should therefore strongly be monitored so that the health of aquatic organisms will not be impaired. © 2017 zoological society of pakistan.