Africa Journal of Animal and Biomedical Sciences 7(2), 2012

ISSN: 1819-4214
INABSTA
Haematology and stress in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepd, 1830) from River Ogun and Asejire
reservoir, Southwest Nigeria receiving contrasting wastes.
A, A. Sowunmi* , V. A. Okeleke
Hydrobiology and Fisheries Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria.
*Corresponding author email: aa.sowunmi@mail.ui.edu.ng; dayolegba@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
Stress responses using haematology was investigated in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Asejire Reservoir and
R.Ogun, Southwest Nigeria; respectively receiving predominantly wastes from a bottling plant and abattoir. PCV,
Hb, RBC, WBC, heterophils and monocytes values were higher in fishes from Asejire Reservoir; platelets,
lymphocytes and eosinophils were however higher in fishes from R.Ogun. Erythrocytic indices of MCV
(97.8512.78) and MCH (105.2719.54) were respectively higher in fishes from Asejire Reservoir and R.Ogun.
Eosinophils (54.07) and CF (42.02) recorded highest respective variability. Redistribution of lymphocytes (CV=14.9
and 5.45), heterophils (CV=31.71 and 11.94) and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio ratio suggested responses that were
less impaired or fatigued in Ch. nigrodigitatus from Asejire reservoir (CV=89.70) compared with those from
R.Ogun (CV=17.58); which were apparently in better condition (CF=1.380.58) than fishes from the reservoir
(CF=1.080.42).
Keywords: Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, heamatology, stress, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, Nigeria
Introduction
Finfishes, the largest group of vertebrate, are always
in intimate contact with water via the respiratory
surfaces and the skin (1). Their responses to changes
in water conditions are considered good indicators of
biotic integrity (2). Heamatological responses in
finfishes associated with wastes are well documented.
However those associated with waters receiving
abattoir
wastes
are
limited.
Additionally,
heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio commonly used as
vertebrates stress indicator (3,4,5,6) is not usually
included in studies involving finfishes. It was
therefore against this background that a study was
carried out study the stress of Chrysichthys
nigrodigitatus (Lacepd, 1830) from R.Ogun and
Asejire reservoir in Southwest Nigeria, receiving
abattoir and bottling effluents respectively using
haematological responses especially H:L ratio.
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, the silver catfish, is a
highly valued food fish in West African countries
supporting thriving commercial fisheries, with
documented
potential
for
aquaculture
(7)
environmental monitoring studies (8,9,10,11) and
widespread ethnomedical importance (12). Asejire
reservoir, a man-made reservoir within coordinates of
04005E and 07021N was constructed in 1970, about
30km East of Ibadan on River Oshun with an
impounded area of 2342ha and gross storage capacity
of 7403 million litres. Detailed information on its

hydrology had been previously provided (13,14).

Reception of wastes and effluent has persisted from
Nigeria Bottling Company since construction (15).
River Ogun, one of the perennial rivers in Southwest
Nigeria, rises at approximately 8041N, 3028E with
altitude of 380m flowing for 320km southwards into
Lagos lagoon at approximately 6035N, 3025E. It has
a total drainage area of about 21, 800km2. Detailed
information on the hydrology have also been been
provided (16,17). The river receives wastes from
abattoirs located at Lafenwa and Isheri-Olofin with
capacity to process 300-320 cows and 40-50
goats/rams daily. The offal and processing wastes are
washed directly into river system daily.
Materials and methods
Sixty-nine individuals from Asejire Reservoir and 17
from R.Ogun were collected between February and
April 2007. On-field measurement of total body
weight (TBW), total (TL) and standard lengths were
followed by collection of blood samples in vials
containing Na-EDTA from the caudal artery for
haematological parameters. Red Blood Cells (RBC), White
Blood Cell (WBC) and platelets counts were done with
Neubauer haematocytometer after using standard diluents
and stains while PCV (or Haemocrit) and haemoglobin
respectively were determined by Microhaematocrit

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

8

and Cyanmethaemoglobin methods (18,19). Prepared

blood smears were stained with Giemsa (18) for
differential leucocyte enumeration. Erythrocytic
indices such as Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean
Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular
Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) were calculated using
standard formulae (18, 19, 20). The heamatological
analyses were done at Departrment of Veterinary
Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria.
Condition factor (CF) as 100*TBW/TL3 (21, 22) was
used to index the well being of individuals collected.
Results
Summary of metrics and hematological parameters of
Ch.nigrodigitatus from Asejire Reservoir and R.
Ogun were as shown in Table 1. Marginally different
TL of 22.212.31cm and 24.722.46cm in samples
from Asejire reservoir and R. Ogun differed from the
pronounced TBW of 11335.93g and 20170.98g
respectively. This was reflected by the condition
factor which was higher in the fishes from R. Ogun
(CF=1.380.58) compared with fishes from Asejire
reservoir (CF=1.080.42). PCV (27.106.14), Hb
(8.751.99),
RBC
(2.830.80),
WBC
(14774.642254.72), Heterophils (31.209.92) and
Monocytes (1.870.82) values were higher in fishes

from
Asejire
Reservoir.
Platelets
(166529.4151792.99), Lymphocytes (67.353.67)
and Eosinophils (2.120.78) were however higher in
fishes from R.Ogun. Erythrocytic indices of MCV
(97.8512.78) and MCH (105.2719.54) were higher
respectively in fishes from Asejire Reservoir and
Ogun River. Contrarily, MCHC respectively with
32.390.77 and 32.930.93 were marginally different
between fishes from the two water bodies.
Within-sample and between-sample variability was
pronounced for metric and blood parameters. MCHC
was the least variable in both samples with 2.37%
and 2.82% CV respectively. Eosinophils (54.07%)
and CF (42.02%) recorded highest variability in
samples from Asejire Reservoir and Ogun River
respectively. Heterophils (19.77%) and MCHC
(0.45%) respectively recorded highest and lowest
between-sample differences in variability.WBC and
MCV differed significantly (p>0.05) between
samples from the study sites. The H:L ratio in fishes
from R.Ogun (CV=17.58) were less variable
compared with fishes from Asejire reservoir
(CV=89.70) however the H:L for individuals from
both water bodies aggregated between 0.40-0.45.
Details were as shown in Figs 1 and 2.

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

9

Fig.1 H:L ratio in Ch. nigrodigitatus from Asejire Reservoir.

Table 1: Summary and comparison of body metrics and haematology of Chrysichthys nigordigitatus from Asejire
Reservoir and R.Ogu
Body metrics and
Heamatology

Total Body weight

(TBW)(g)
Total length (TL)
(cm)
Condition Factor
(CF)
Packed Cell
Volume (%)
Haemoglobin
(g/ml)
Red Blood Cell
(x106mm3)
White Blood Cell
( x103mm3)
Platelets
Lymphocytes
(%)
Heterophils
(Neutrophils) (%)
Monocytes
(%)
Eosinophils
(%)
MCV
MCHC
MCH
H : L ratio

Asejire Reservoir (n=69)

Summary
Coefficient
of
variation
113.9335.93
31.06
(50.00-200.10)
22.212.31
10.50
(18.10-29.20)
1.080.42
38.89
(0.45-2.19)
27.106.14
22.74
(15.00-40.00)
8.751.99
22.76
4.80-12.70
2.830.80
28.46
(1.48-3.96)
14774.642254.72
15.26
(10200.00-18550.00)
151565.2261758.41
40.75
(84000.00-310000.00)
64.779.67
14.93
(25.00-77.00)
31.309.92
31.71
(20.00-74.00)
1.870.82
43.90
(0.00-3.00)
1.770.95
54.07
(0.00-4.00)
97.8512.78
13.06
(76.92-138.36)
32.390.77
2.37
(30.45-34.00)
31.684.09
12.91
(25.46-46.54)
0.550.49
89.70
(0.27-2.96)

R.Ogun (n=17)
Summary

201.5670.98
(75.00-300.20)
24.722.46
(19.00-28.10)
1.380.58
(0.68-2.91)
25.534.51
(20.00-39.10)
8.381.39
(6.80-12.60)
2.500.63
(1.24-3.71)
12805.882469.43
(9500.00-17300.00)
166529.4151792.99
(94000.00-234000)
67.353.67
(23.00-36.00)
28.943.45
(23.00-36.00)
1.590.61
(1.00-3.00)
2.120.78
(1.00-3.00)
34.757.20
(28.62-56.45)
32.930.93
(31.07-35.00)
105.2719.54
(85.82-161.29)
0.430.07
(0.32-0.59)

Coefficient
of
variation
35.22

t-value
(t0.05=
1.85)
-4.80

9.96

-3.70

42.02

-1.94

17.90

1.12

16.64

0.88

25.15

1.78

19.28

2.99

31.10

-1.03

5.45

-1.76

11.94

1.62

38.87

1.56

36.84

-1.57

20.71

27.12

2.82

-2.21

18.56

-15.44

17.58

1.93

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

10

Fig. 2 H:L ratio in Ch. nigrodigitatus from river Ogun

Discussion
Investigation
into
the
haematology
of
Ch.nigrodigitatus from Nigerian water bodies had
been limited and the values reported here departed
considerably from the few available observations.
Our results provided further insight into responses of
wild population exposed to chronic but contrasting
pollution. Fishes from Ogun river compared with
sample from Asejire reservoir, were probably better
compensating for stress (23) or otherwise with
impaired or fatigued responses to stress (24) from
chronic exposure. RBC counts were considerably
higher compared with previous reports on this fish
species (25,26,27) and other reported Nigerian
finfishes (28,29) with exception of Synodontis
membranacea (30). Variations in RBC and related
indices have been linked to multiple causes (23)
which included species specific physiological and
compensatory mechanisms, intensity and duration of
exposure. Of these indices, MCV showed most
departure from previously reported values suggesting
anemia in fishes from both water bodies under

consideration. The differences were apparently stress

mediated because reported values were from
protected pond raised samples (25) and well
acclimated samples from natural populations (26,
27). On the contrary, our values were from fishes
resident in waters with visible aquatic health
challenges.
Limited Nigerian studies from natural populations
(28, 29, 30) and laboratory experiments (31,32,33,34)
have reported differential leucocytes. Our observed
lymphocyte dominance is a common teleostan feature
(35) and comparable to observations on P. obscura
(28) and S. membranacea (30) from Nigerian water
bodies. The reasons for dominance were not stated
but inferred. However, bioassay on C. gariepinus
(33,34) and Heteroclarias (32) reported both
lymphocyte dominance and increases in test versus
control situations. Proportions of the remaining
leucocytes were comparable to previously reported
profiles (6, 36) including profiles reported from
Nigerian fish species (27, 28, 34). Our study showed

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

11

that the total blood counts of RBC and WBC were

not very variable, although the differential counts
exhibited more variability and definitive for stress
factors.
Precise and established quantitative leucocytes
standards, indicative of stress in fish species was not
possible. This encouraged the present attempt to
apply the H:L ratio to a bonyfish,
because
haemotological responses was conserved in
vertebrate taxa (6). This index may thus provide
convergence in assessing leucocytes responses in
bonyfishes as a robust additional indicator, of often
convoluted aquatic stress. CV of leucocytes clearly
showed redistribution of lymphocytes and heterophils
that is lymphopenia and neutrophilia in the blood as
observed and reported for other vertebrates (3,4,6)
and fish (37) exposed to stress from diverse sources.
The H:L values reported here were comparable to
0.320.049 and 0.54 0.12 from stressed Swell shark
Cephaloscyllium laticeps (37). Changes, especially
increase in H:L ratio which involved increased
heterophils and reduced lymphocytes, have been
associated with stress (3,4,6,37). On this basis, fishes
from Asejire Reservoir were showing more responses
to stress compared with samples from Ogun River.
H:L ratio could act as surrogate for inverse
heterophil-lymphocyte relationship associated with
stress-induced corticosteroid secretion; depicting
longer term physiological responses (2,3,6,37). This
was perhaps responsible for lack of pronounced
differences in sizes and CF of samples from our study
and those from previous reports on Ch. nigrodigitatus
(26,38,39,40,41) from different water bodies.
In spite of the numerous reports on haematology of
several economically important vertebrate animals of
different taxa from Nigeria. The reported the use H:L
ratio as part of haematological study was on the
duck (Anas platyrhynchos) (4) our report being the
first application to fish species in Nigeria.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.
References
1. Powers, D. A. 1989. Fish as model systems.
Science 246: 352-358.
2 Wendelaar Bonga, S.E. 1999. The stress
response in fish. Physiological Review 77:591-625.
3. Gross, W.B., Siegel, H.. 1983. Evaluation of the
heterophil/lymphocyte ratio as a measure of
stress in chickens. Avian Diseases 27(4): 972979.
4. Olayemi, F. Oyewale, J. Rahman, S.,
Omolewa, O. 2003. Comparative assessment of
the white blood cell values, plasma volume and

14.

15.

16.

blood volume in the young and adult Nigeria

duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Veterinarski
Arhiv.,.73(5): 271-276.
Eeva, T., Hasselquist, D. Langefors, .,
Tummeleht, L.Nikkinmaa, M, Ilmonen, P.
2005. Pollution related effects on immune
function and stress in a free-living population of
pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Journal of
Avian Biology. 36: 405-412.
Davis, A.K. Maney, D.L., Maertz, J.C. 2008.
The use of leucocyte profiles to measure stress in
vertebrates: a review for ecologists. Functional
Ecology. 22:760-772.
Ezenwa, B. 1982. Production of catfish
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, in brackish water
pond in Nigeria using groundnut cake as
supplemental feed. Aquaculture 27:197-203.
Obasonhan, E.E., Oronsanye, J.A.O., Obano,
E.E. 2006 Heavy metal concentration in
Malapterurus electricus
and Chrysichthys
nigrodigitatus
Ogba River in Benin City,
Nigeria. African Journal Biotechnology 5: 974982.
Arimoro, F.O., Ikomi, R.B., Osalor, E.C.
2007. The impacts of sawmill wood wastes on
the water quality and fish communities of Benin
River, Niger Delta Area, Nigeria. International
Journal of Science and Technology 2: 1-12
Adeyemi, D., Ukpo, G.,Anyakora, Unyimadu,
J.P. 2008. Organochlorine pesticides residue in
fish samples from Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria.
American Journal of Envrionmental Sciences, 4:
649-653.
Sowunmi, A.A. 2010. Physico-chemical
parameters, plankton and biological indices of
Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepd, 1830) as
aquatic stress indicators in Ologe lagoon and
River Owo, Nigeria. Ph. D Thesis. University of
Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria. 363pp.
Sowunmi, A.A. 2007. Fin-fishes in Yorb
natural healing practices from southwest Nigeria.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113: 72-78.
Egborge, A.B.M. 1978. Seasonal variations in
the density of a small West African Lake.
Hydrobiologia. 61(3): 195-203.
Egborge, A.B.M. 1979. The effects of
impoundment on the phytoplankton of the River
Oshun, Nigeria. Nova Hedwiga 31: 407-417.
Lameed, G.A., Obadara, P.G. 2006.. Ecodeveloment Impact of Coca-Cola Industry on
Biodiversity Resources at Asejire Area, Ibadan,
Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries International, 1(24): 55-62.
Sydenham, D.H.J. 1977. The qualitative
composition and longitudinal zonation of fish

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

12

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

fauna of the River Ogun, Western Nigeria.

Revue de Zoologie Africaine, 91(4): 974-997.
Adebisi, A.A. 1981. The physico-chemical
hydrology of a tropical seasonal river-upper
Ogun river. Hydrobiologia, 79: 157-165.
Blaxall, P.C., Daisely, K.W. 1973. Routine
haematological methods for with fish routine. J.
Fish. Biol. 5: 771-781.
Dacie, J.V., Lewis, S.M. 1991. Practical
Haematology. Pub.: ChurchhillL Livingstone.
London. pp1-73.
Green, J.H. 1978. An Introduction to Human
Physiology. African Edition. Pub.: Oxford
University Press, Ibadan. pp5-22.
Le Cren, E.D. 1951. The length-weight
relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight
and condition in the perch, (Perca fluviatilis).
Journal Animal Ecology. 66: 201-219.
Bagenal, T.B. ,Pesch, F.W. 1978. Age and
growth. In :Methods for assessment of Fish
production in freshwaters (T.B. Bagenal ed.)..
Blackwell Science Publications Ltd. Oxford,
101-136.
Vosylien, M.Z. 1999. The effect of the heavy
metals on the haematological indices of fish
(Survey). Acta Zoological Lithuanica
Hydrobiologica. 9(2): 76-82.
Erondu, E.S., Nnubia, C., Nwadukwe, F.O.
1993. Heamatological studies of four catfish
raised in freshwater ponds in Nigeria. Journal of
Applied Ichthyology. 9: 250-256..
Etim, L., Ekanem, S.B., Utin, A. 1999.
Heamatological profile of two species of catfish
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (LACEPEDE) and
Chrysichthys furcatus (Gunther) from the Great
Kwa river, Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and
Applied Sciences. 5(1): 1-4.
Adedeji, O.B., Adegbile, A.F. (2011).
Comparative heamatology parameters of the
Bagrid Catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and
the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from
Asejire Dam in Southwest Nigeria. Journal of
Applied Sciences Research. 7(7):1042-1046
Kori-Siakpere, O., Ake, J.E.G. 2005. Blood
cell types, morphology and dimensions of the
African Snakehead; Parachanna obscura
(Osteichthyes,Channidae). The Zoologist., 3: 8998.
Ikechukwu, O.A., Obinnaya, C.L. 2010.
Haematological Profile of the African Lungfish,
Protopterus annectens (Owen) of Anambra
River, Nigeria. Journal of American Science.
6(2): 123-130.
Owolabi, O.D. 2011.. Heamatological and
serum profile of the upside-down catfish
Synodontis membranacea Geoffroy Saint

Hilaire from Jebba Lake, Nigeria. Comparative

Clinical Pathology. 20: 163-172.
31. Adeyemo, O.K. 2005. Heamatological and
histopathological effects of Cassava Mill
effluent in Clarias gariepinus. African Journal
of Biomedical Research,. 8: 179-183.
32. Kori-Siakpere, O., Ubogu, E.O. 2008.
Sublethal hematological effects of zinc on the
freshwater fish, Heteroclarias sp.
(Osteichthyes:Clariidae). African Journal of
Biotechnology, 7(12):2068-2073.
33. Adedeji, O.B., Adeyemo, O.K. Agbede, S.A.
2009. Effects of diazinon on blood parameters
in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).
African Journal of Biotechnology. 8(16): 39403946.
34. Adeyemo, O.K., Naigaga, I., Alli, R.A. 2009.
Effect of handling and transport on
heamatology of African catfish (Clarias
gariepinus). Journal of Fisheries Science.com
3(4):333-341.
35. Houston, A.H., Dobric,., Kahurananga, R.
1996. The nature of haematological response in
fish: Studies on rainbow trout Oncorhynchus
mykiss exposed to simulated winter, spring and
summer conditions. Fish Physiology and
Biochemistry. 5(4): 339-347.
36. Blaxall, P.C. 1972. The haematological
assessment of the health of freshwater fish: A
review of selected literature. J. Fish. Biol. 4:
593-604.
37. Van Rijn, J.A., Reina, R. D. 2010. Distribution
of leukocytes as indicators of stress in the
Australian swellshark, Cephaloscyllium
laticeps. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 29:
534-538.
38. Fagade, S.O. , Adebisi, A.A. 1979. On the
fecundity of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
(Lacpde) of the Asejire dam, Oyo State,
Nigeria. Nigerian Journal Natural Sciences 1:
127-131.
39. Ekanem, S.B. 2000. Some reproductive aspects
of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacpde)
from Cross River, Nigeria. NAGA, The
ICLARM Quarterly 23: 24 28.
40. Fafioye. O.O. and Oluajo, O.O 20.05. Lengthweight relationships of five fish species in Epe
lagoon, Nigeria. African Journal of
Biotechnology. 4: 749-751.
41. Offem, B.O., Akegbejo-Samsons, Y.,
Omoniyi, I. T. 2008. Diet, size and
reproductive biology of the silver catfish,
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
(Siluformes:Bagridae) in the Cross River,
Nigeria. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56(4): 1785-1799.

Afri. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 7(2): 8-13 (2012)

13