Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol.14, Issue 1, 2012; Page No.(7-12)

UREA ACCUMULATION IN ACID WATER BY THE AFRICAN LUNGFISH, PROTOPTERUS ANNECTENS (OWEN) OF OGUTA LAKE, NIGERIA

A.I. OKAFOR

Abstract

Serum urea levels of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (Owen) following acclimation in acid water was investigated in the laboratory. Adult specimens of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (mean weight, 299.5g and mean length, 38.2cm) procured from Oguta lake at Oguta in Imo State, Nigeria were subjected to acid water of the following pH values - 4.6, 5.0, 5.4,5.8, 6.2,6.6, 7.0 and 7.4 for a couple of weeks after which their serum urea levels were determined. The results revealed a significant negative linear correlation (r = - 0.9435776 p<0.05) between water pH and mean serum urea concentrations. The findings highlight some adjustments of the fishs metabolic pathways in acid water regimes.

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