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Research Journal of Environmental Toxicology

Year: 2011 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 117-124
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Authors

E.E. Orlu

O.K. Ogbalu

Keywords

Research Article

Effect of Sublethal Concentrations of Lepidagathis alopecuroides (Vahl) on Sperm Quality, Fertility and Hatchability in Gravid Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Broodstock

E.E. Orlu and O.K. Ogbalu
This study aimed at investigating the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of Lepidagathis alopecuroides on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the milt of the freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus. Fifteen gravid Clarias gariepinus broodstock were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of Lepidagathis alopecuroides for 21 days and the milt obtained for quality assessment visually with binocular light microscope and by fertility tests. The predominant color of the milt was creamy white with a mean pH of 6.80±0.26. There was a significant (p<0.01) linear relationship between sperm motility and the concentration of L. alopecuroides characterized by the equation Y= -58.45x+83.64, R2 = 0.938 and a significant (p<0.01) negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.973). Similar trends were observed between sperm concentration (Y = -10.24x+14.25, R2 = 0.976, r = -0.988; p<0.01) and sperm output (Y = -39.15x+51.82, R2 = 0.968; r = -0.983; p<0.01). A highly significant (p<0.01) negative correlation (r = -0.969) was also observed between percent hatchability and concentration of the extract. Bodyweight weight (p>0.05), Testis weight (p<0.05) decreased with increased concentration of L. alopecuroides. However, the mean gonadosomatic index (0.79±0.02), the milt volume (3.45±0.64) were not affected. Sperm concentration and sperm output per gram of testicular weight were significantly (p<0.01) reduced by increasing concentrations of L. alopecuroides extracts. Since these two indicators of spermatogenic efficiency were reduced, it was concluded that L. alopecuroides is not only piscicidal but also exhibits anti-fertility effects in Clarias gariepinus with a potential to reduce fertilizing ability, hatchability and deplete the population of Clarias gariepinus in the wild.
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