Effects of Lead Nitrate on Glutathione Production Levels in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Post Juvenile

Abstract

The effect of lead nitrate on glutathione, (GSH) production levels in clarias gariepinus past Juvenites were investigated. The 96 hourd LC50 of the toxicant was determined. Six samples of the fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentration of Omg/l, 28mg/l 43mh/l and 57mg/l with replication in each case for a period of 28 days. Two samples were randomly selected from the treatment and control for the bioassay of GSH production levels in the kidney, liver gill of fish on the 14th and 28th days respectively. The results show that 98 hours LC50 for C. gariepinus exposed to the lethal concentration of lead nitrate was 284.189mg/l. the GSH production level were significantly lower (p=0.05) in the kidney of the fish exposed to treatment 28mg/l and 43mg/l and in the liver of the fish exposed in all treatment on both days 14 and 28, respectively. The GSH production levels were also significantly lower in the gill of the fish exposed in all treatment. The liver of C. gariepinus exhibited a better control of the toxicant and therefore, a better biomarker of oxidative stress due to lead nitrate.