Changes in Total Protein and Transaminase Activities in Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Diazinon

The aim of the study was to assess the effects induced by diazinon on total protein and transaminase activities in Clarias gariepinus, a common Niger Delta wetland fish. Fish were exposed to varying sub-lethal concentrations of diazinon (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/I). Values decreased as the concentration of the toxicant increased. Plasma total protein and total protein in all organs tested were significantly lower (p<0.05). Plasma alanine amino transferase (ALT) increased at some treatment levels contrary to aspartate amino transferase (AST) in plasma. Activities of ALT and AST decreased as the concentration of diazinon increased in all the organs tested; hence, the effects were dose dependent. It is obvious from this study that diazinon negatively affects total protein and transaminase activities in Clarias gariepinus

Preliminary evaluation of some aspects of the ecology (growth pattern, condition factor and reproductive biology) of African pike, Hepsetus odoe (Bloch 1794), in Lake Eleiyele, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract A preliminary investigation of length-weight relationship, condition factor and reproductive ecology of African pike fish, Hepsetus odoe, was conducted between June to August 2010 in Lake Eleiyele. A total of 90 samples of the fish species were caught by fishermen using gill nets. The results obtained showed that fish species had isometric growth pattern (contrary to negative allometry expected) with the growth exponent, b value of 2.64, that is not statistically different from 3 and with high statistical power of 0.866 when tested. The mean condition factor, K, was found to be 2.6, indicating that the fish species were in good condition in the study area. For reproductive biology, mean fecundity and gonadosomatic index were found to be 1349 eggs and 3.53% respectively. This study was necessary to fill the knowledge gap and provide information for management and conservation of the investigated species in the lake system. This study recommended that further research needs to be conducted because the sampling was carried out in the rainy season period and within a quarter of a year