Journal of
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences

  • Abbreviation: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9820
  • DOI: 10.5897/JTEHS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 218

Full Length Research Paper

Acute haematological response of a cichlid fish Sarotherodon melanotheron exposed to crude oil

Obemeata Oriakpono
  • Obemeata Oriakpono
  • Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323 Rivers State, Nigeria
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Hart Aduabobo
  • Hart Aduabobo
  • Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323 Rivers State, Nigeria
  • Google Scholar
Ekanem Wokoma
  • Ekanem Wokoma
  • Department of Crop and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323 Rivers State, Nigeria
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  •  Accepted: 05 October 2012
  •  Published: 30 November 2012

Abstract

The acute haematological response of a brackish water cichlid fish Sarotherodon melanotheronexposed to crude oil was evaluated. They were exposed for 96 h to crude oil concentrations of 0, 50, 125, 250, 375, and 500 mg/L of water obtained from the fish source. Haematological analyses were carried out at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Haematological analysis revealed that the red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), thrombocytes, and lymphocytes of the control group were significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) than the crude oil treated groups while the white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, leucocrit (Lct) and monocytes of the crude oil treated groups were significantly higher than the control group, indicating an immune response to the toxicant. These parameters can be standardised and used as biomarkers in biomonitoring programs.

 

Key words: Haematological response, biomarkers, biomonitoring, Sarotherodon melanotheron, crude oil