ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Tiamiyu AM*, Olatoye IO and Adedeji OB
Haematological components of blood are valuable in monitoring feed toxicity in cultured fish. The haematological and serum protein of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juvenile of both sex (n=84, mean weight 117.3 ± 1.57 g; mean length 26.70 ± 0.26 cm) fed with varying dietary inclusions level of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed ) as feed additives for 42 days were determined. Four iso-nitrogenous (35% crude protein) and nearly iso-caloric aqua feed were formulated with the locally sourced feed ingredients with C. odorata leaf powder introduced into the diets at graduated levels of 0.0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0% and 3.0% respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from three fish randomly selected from each replicate of the groups. Blood parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cells count (WBC), lymphocytes, haematocrit, hemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), plasma protein, albumin, globulin, A-G ratio and cholesterol were estimated. Statistical analysis revealed that these parameters were marginally different (P>0.05) within the groups except WBC that were significantly lower (P<0.05) in treated groups compared with the control. However the values recorded for the parameters in all the groups were within haematological values recommended for cultured African Catfish. This suggests that the leaf powder of Chromolaena odorata fed as feed additives may be safe and non-toxic at low inclusion rates of 0.5 - 3.0% and had no negative impact on the health status of the African Catfish.
Keywords: Blood Parameters; Clarias Gariepinus; Chromolaena Odorata; Dietary Inclusion Levels
