Histopathology And Activities Of Proteases, Aminases And Glutamate Dehydrogenase In Clarias Gariepinus Fingerlings Exposed To Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (LAS)

Fingerlings of the African catfish, C. gariepinus (mean weight 13.13±2.77g) were exposed to linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (0.0166mg/L) under laboratory conditions. The tissues (liver, gill, muscle and kidney) enzyme parameters were analysed after 0hr (initial) 2hr, 12hr and 24h exposure. The increased neutral and alkaline proteases activities in the different tissues of C. gariepinus indicates the damage caused due to impairment of energy supply and alkaline proteases activity indicates higher protein degradation. Therefore, the proteins are denatured leading to more activation of protease. During the toxic exposure of LAS, the aspartate aminotransfarase (AAT) and alaninetransfarase (ALAT) were enhanced which led to incorporation of amino acids into TCA cycle for energy production. Whereas, glutamate dehydrogenase activity similarly enhanced the elevated level of amino acids, transaminases which possibly suggest the utilization of protein under stress condition of fish. Possible Impaired respiration was evident due to the toxic insult of LAS to the gill which showed severe damage such as filaments with disjointed lamella. In the liver, there was mild vacuolation and congestion of the liver tissue. The kidney showed sequensiation of the kidney architecture with accumulation of hyaline droplets in the tubular epithelial cell. These changes occur predominantly in the 24hr exposure. LAS is toxic to fingerlings fish C. gariepinus are more susceptible to LAS, therefore their use on/near fish farm or in area close to aquatic environment should be discouraged. Keyword :  Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, proteases, aminases, glutamate dehydrogenase, histopathology