HEMATOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) JUVENILES EXPOSED TO SUB-CHRONIC CONCENTRATIONS OF DIAZEPAM.

Abstract

A 4-week toxicological study was conducted to ascertain the effect of diazepam drug on haematology of Clarias
gariepinus Juvenile. A total of 180 (27.36±0.23cm and 197.39±2.34g) juveniles were exposed to diazepam drug
at sub chronic concentrations; 2.67mg/l, 5.34mg/l, 10.68mg/l, 21.36mg/l, 42.72mg/l as treatments, and a
control without diazepam substance. Blood samples were collected from each treatment on weekly basis for
haematological examination. Significant decreases in red blood cells (RBC), haemologlobin count (Hb) and
pack cell volume (PCV) were observed in diazepam treated groups at continued duration exposure when
compared with the control. A reverse trend was observed for white blood cells. Significant increases (p˂0.05)
in red cell indices were observed among diazepam treated groups compared to the control at continued
duration exposure. Result for leucocyte differentials revealed that there were no significant differences (p˃0.05)
among diapezam treated group compared to the control for monocytes, basophils and Eosinophils while
significant differences (p˂0.05) in neutrophil and lymphocyte values were observed among treatments
compared to the control. Diazepam adversely altered blood parameters of the fish.