Abstract

African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of herbicide, glyphosate (0, 0.05, 0.1%, v/v) over 42 days period. The gills showed marked alterations in the epithelia in response to glyphosate treatment. There was fusion in adjacent secondary lamella resulting in hyperplasia, with profound oedematous changes, characterised by epithelial detachment. In the liver, the enlargement of the hepatocytes was related to the concentration and duration of exposure to the glyphosate. There were also large vacuoles in the hepatocytes, with pyknotic nuclei, and cytolysis that increased with concentration. Focal necrosis was also observed in the hepatocytes. It was concluded that glyphosate has a deleterious effect on the organs of C. gariepinus.

Key words:  Histopathology, Clarias gariepinus, Glyphosate, gill, liver.