Changes in Liver Enzyme Activities in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Exposed to Crude Oil

Abstract

The biochemical assessment of the effect of crude oil polluted water on some liver enzymes of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was carried out. A total of 30 active (mobile) juvenile catfish of average weight of 75.33 ± 3.0g were divided into six groups of five catfish and held for 30 hour in five different crude oil contaminated aqueous solutions (0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%). Catfish in the control group were held in borehole water. The results obtained revealed a significant reduction (p 0.05) was obtained in the initial and final weights of control catfish. In comparison to the control, the results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the LDH activity and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the AST and ALT activity of the liver of catfish as the concentration of crude oil increased. The data obtained may be interpreted as a possible adverse effect of crude oil on juvenile catfish as manifested by changes in liver enzymes.