EVALUATION OF SERUM BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN Clarias gariepinus EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF DRIED POULTRY DROPPINGS

Abstract

This study assessed the levels of serum biochemical changes in C. gariepinus juveniles exposed to varying concentrations of dried poultry droppings. The dried poultry droppings were collected from Green Gold Construct Layers Unit in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Ten (10) fish were randomly allocated to five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) in triplicate for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected to assess serum protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, and urea. The changes observed were concentration dependent, with the highest biochemical alterations recorded in fish exposed to 6.0 g/L (T5) showing increased ALP (97.60 IU/L), urea (0.88 mmol/L), and creatinine (8.20 mmol/L), while the lowest changes were observed in the control group (T1) with stable biochemical values. The results revealed significant changes in the biochemical indicators in exposed treatments compared to the control. Increase in AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine concentration could be hepatic and renal dysfunction, while decrease in total protein and albumin suggested nutritional imbalance. Findings showed that C. gariepinus exposure to dried poultry droppings may affect physiological functions even at lower concentration. Unregulated disposal of dried poultry droppings in aquatic environments posed a serious ecological implication; hence, stringent waste management practice is encouraged.