Submit Manuscript

Research Journal of Environmental Toxicology

Year: 2011 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 117-124
Facebook Twitter Digg Reddit Linkedin StumbleUpon E-mail

Article Trend

Total views 64

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.
PDF Fulltext XML References Citation

Related Articles

Effect of Tecoma stans Leaves on the Reproductive System of Male Albino Rats
The Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Human Sperm Parameters; An in vitro Study
Daily Sperm Production of the Domestic Fowl (Gallus domesticus) as Determined By Quantitative Testicular Histology and Homogenate Methods
Breed and Seasonal Variations in the Testicular Morphometry, Gonadal and Extragonadal Sperm Reserves of the Barred Plymouth Rock and Nigerian Indigenous Breeds of the Domestic Fowl
Effect of Sublethal Concentrations of Aqueous Extract of Lepidagathis alopecuroides on Spermatogenesis in the Fresh Water Catfish Clarias gariepinus

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *