Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

THE EFFECTS OF AMBIENT WATER TEMPERATURE ON ERYTHROPOIESIS AND PLASMA GLUCOSE LEVELS IN THE AFRICAN CATFISH, CLARIAS LAZERA (BURCHELL)

OKAFOR, A.I.

Abstract

The influence of water temperature on erythropoiesis and plasma glucose levels in the African catfish, Clarias lazera (Burchell) was investigated. Adult healthy specimens of the African catfish. Clarias lazera (mean weight 264.3g; mean length 24.5cm) procured from Oguta lake at Oguta in Imo State, Nigeria were subjected to varied water temperatures: 100C, 150C, 200C, 250C, 300C and 350C. The results established that increase in ambient water temperature had a significant positive linear relationship with polycythaemia, hyperhaemoglobinaemia and hyperglycaemia respectively (p < 0.05) temp/RBC, r = 0.9789; temp/Hb4, r = 0.9710; temp/glucose r = 0.9730; The results highlight some physiological adjustments made by C. lazera due to changes in ambient water temperatures often caused by heating of aquatic habitats by mans activities.