HISTOLOGY OF LIVER, KIDNEY AND INTESTINE OF Clarias gariepinus BROODSTOCK FED DIETARY INCLUSION OF Aspilia africana LEAVES PASTE

Authors

Phytobiotics, fish organs, toxicity, fish nutrition

Histology of organs and tissues are important indices to determine the toxicity and effects of the administration

of phytobiotics in the diet of fishes. This investigation was carried out to evaluate the impacts of Aspilia africana

leaves paste (AAL) on the liver, kidney, and intestine of Clarias gariepinus broodstock. The experiment was

conducted in 24 net-happa (0.6m x 1.07m x 1.2m) hung in an earthen pond (30 m x 5 m x 1.2m). Forty-eight (7-

month-old fish, (0.80±0.04kg, average weight) were stocked at two fish per happa with four treatments in six

replicates in a completely randomized design. Four diets (40% crude protein) were formulated to contain: control

(0%); AAL1 (0.5%); AAL2 (1%); and AAL3 (1.5%). Fish were fed twice daily adlibitum for 16 weeks. After the

experiment, the broodstocks were sectioned open to carefully remove the organs, preserved in 10% formalin for

histopathological analysis. Liver results showed mild to moderate vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and no

visible lesion seen in the intestine from the treated groups. Fish fed 1%, 1.5% AAL showed kidney with mild

vacuolar degeneration of the tubule epithelial cells. The study concluded that AAL is tolerable to the fish, and

thus could be used as a supplement in the diet of fish.

Department of Fisheries Technology, Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iguoriakhi,

P.M.B.1060, Edo state, Nigeria.

Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 50, Ilaro, Ogun State