AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ACUTE AND SUB LETHAL EFFECTS OF Tephrosia vogelii AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON THE HISTOPATHOLOGY OF GILLS AND LIVER OF Clarias gariepinus
B. U. IBRAHIM *
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.
U. NUHU
Department of Biology, School of Science, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The impact of short term nd sub – lethal exposure of aqueous extract of Tephrosia vogelii leaves on Clarias gariepinus was evaluated through cyto-achitectural distortion of the liver and gills cells compared to the liver and gills cells offish in the control experiment. The acute histopathological degenerations were observed in the gills as shrinkage of secondary lamella and cartilaginous supporting mass, resulting in decrease in the size of gills. Photomicrographs showed cyto-achitectural distortion of the gills exposed to acute and sub-lethal concentrations of the extract of T. vogelii leaves. This was characterized by necrosis of primary and secondary lamellae and cartilaginous degenerations. Degenerative distortions of liver hepatocyte in both acute and sub-lethal concentrations of the extract is noticed by mono-nuclear and polymorph nuclear cells infiltration and fatty degeneration. The degenerations were more severe in the fishes exposed to high (18 mg/L, 20 mg/L). Bio monitoring technology should be used to predict the effects of new chemical substances likely to reach aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords: Histopathology, gills, liver, Clarias gariepinus, Tephrosia vogelii