ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine how exposure to non alcoholic effluent impacts the levels of histone H2AX, a biomarker for DNA damage, and its subsequent influence on gene expression in juvenile Clarias gariepinus.Tissue samples were extracted from juvenile Clarias gariepinus liver followed by RNA isolation,quantification and stablilization of the isolated RNA, synthesis of complementary DNA, and agarose gel electrophoresis. This procedure followed standard guidelines. The results obtained from the study showed the varying expression levels of the H2AX gene  at concentration levels of 5%, 15%,35% and 50%. The statistically significant correlation of the expression levels of the genes at various concentrations with the equivalent controls revealed that the increase in the expression of the genes in response to non alcoholic effluent exposure was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The increase in the expression of the genes suggests that Clarias gariepinus is negatively impacted by non alcoholic effluent. Therefore,standard treatment of non alcoholic effluent is recommended before disposal in the aquatic environment to avoid any deleterious effect on the genes of Clarias  gariepinus.