Research Article
Kori-Siakpere, O. and Oboh, E.
Abstract
The effect of sublethal concentrations of tobacco leaf dust on the haematological parameters of the African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, mean weight 108.69± 4.02g and mean length 23.00±0.86cm was investigated using static renewal bioassay system during a 7days exposure period. The result obtained revealed significant difference (P<0.01) in the haematological parameters examined (haematocrit, haemoglobin, total erythrocytes count and mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration) depicting a proportional decrease with an increase in the toxicant concentration during the exposure period. The haematological parameters (mean erythrocyte volume, mean erythrocyte haemoglobin) showed insignificant differences in the exposed fish compared to the control. Haematological examination showed that there was destruction of the erythrocytes production and the concentration of haemoglobin in the RBC was much lower in the exposed fish compared to the control depicting an anaemic condition.