Author(s): Ugbor Ogechi Nnabuchi, Odo Gregory Ejikeme, Nwani Christopher Didiugwu, Ochang Stephen Ncha, Somdare Peace Onahs, Agbakwuo Chidinma Amarachi

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of parasite infestation on the liver function test of some clariid species of the Anambra River system. 360 fish species (231 C. gariepinus and 129 C. anguilaris) were examined for parasites. The parasites recovered were protozoans (Trichodina acuta and Epistylis sp.), cestodes (Polyonchobothrium clarias and Monobothriode woodlandi) and nematodes (Rhabdochona congolensis and Procamallanus laeviconchus) with a total prevalence of 42.1% and mean intensity of 4.15 ± 1.57. The present results showed that aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activities as well as creatinine and urea values were elevated in the parasite infected fishes. The haematological manifestation of the infected fishes showed marked decrease in the content of haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cells. However, the infected fishes had higher content of white blood cell (WBC) than the uninfected. Whereas, there was a significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between parasite intensity and condition factor, hepatosomatic index of the fishes increased with increase in parasite intensity. The biochemical and haematological alterations observed in the infected fishes reflect anemia and tissue damages caused by parasite invasion.

Pages: 331-336  |  1375 Views  169 Downloads

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