BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF ATRAZINE EXPOSURE AND THE DEFENSIVE ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical effect of atrazine exposure and defensive role of vitamin C on Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Four (4) weeks old C. gariepinus juveniles were purchased at the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The experimental fishes were exposed to 0, 10, 20 and 30 µg/L of atrazine and 0.08g of vitamin C for twenty-eight (28) days in a static renewal bioassay. At the end of the 28 days exposure, juvenile samples were prepared for biochemical and histopathological analyses using standard procedures. Atrazine exposure increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain ranging from 47.86 in control group to 49.32 in the highest treatment concentration.