HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF Sarotherodon melanotheron FROM A SLUM NEIGHBOURHOOD ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

A total of 18 live specimens of the black jaw tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, mean weight (82.95 ±3.27g) and mean length (13.1 ±0.35cm), were sampled bimonthly for three months from the Makoko area, a slum neighbourhood, of Lagos Lagoon, to establish the haematological and biochemical indices of the fish species which will serve as baseline for further studies and ascertain the health of the environment. The mean value and standard error of mean of some of the haematological parameters analyzed were: Hb: 89.65 ±3.63g/l, PCV: 27.47 ±0.58%, RBC: 3.05 ±0.06T/L, WBC: 10.02 ±0.40g/L, MCV: 86.87 ±1.39fl, MCH: ±0.13g/dl, Neutrophils: 22.89 ±0.63%, Lymphocyte: 79.67 ±1.49% and Monocyte: 0.72 ±0.25%. No Eosinophils and Basophils were recorded in this study. While the mean and standard error of mean of the biochemical enzymes analyzed in IU/L, were: AST (76.84 ±4.08), ALT (23.06 ±2.12) and ALP (77.74 ±6.12). There was statistical significance (p