Adene IC*, Adaba OE and Ajagunna OE

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Adene IC, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ad- ekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Received: June 08, 2026; Published: July 08, 2026

Abstract

The haematotoxic effects of nominal concentrations of Pentaclethra macrophylla (African oil bean) seed powder suspension were evaluated in juvenile Clarias gariepinus under controlled laboratory conditions. Fish were exposed for 96 h to six treatments: 0.00 mg/L (control), 0.40 mg/L, 0.50 mg/L, 0.60 mg/L, 0.70 mg/L and 0.80 mg/L, each in triplicate. Behavioural responses and haematological indices were assessed after exposure. Treated fish exhibited abnormal behavioural responses, including changes in body colouration, air gulping, barbel deformation, erratic swimming and loss of reflex. These responses appeared earlier and persisted longer at higher nominal concentrations. Exposure also produced significant changes (p < 0.05) in most haematological variables. Packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration were generally higher in exposed fish than in the control, whereas white blood cell, granulocyte and lymphocyte counts were generally reduced, particularly at intermediate concentrations. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). The results indicate that acute exposure to P. macrophylla seed powder suspension can alter the haematological profile and behaviour of juvenile C. gariepinus. The findings provide baseline laboratory evidence for assessing potential risks associated with the discharge of African oil bean processing residues into aquatic environments. Further studies incorporating measured environmental concentrations, chronic exposure, histopathology and biochemical biomarkers are recommended.

Keywords: Acute Exposure; African Oil Bean; Behavioural Response; Clarias gariepinus; Fish Haematology; Pentaclethra macrophylla

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Citation

Citation: Adene IC. et al. “Haematotoxicological Effects of Pentaclethra macrophylla Seed Powder on Juvenile African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus". Acta Scientific Agriculture 10.6 (2026): 16-21.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Adene IC. et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.