Sublethal Effects of Paraquat on Some Plasma Organic Constituents (Metabolic Parameters) of African Catfish: Clarias gariepinus (Osteichthys-Clariidae)

The plasma levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol and triglyceride were determined in Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of paraquat (0.30 and 0.15 mg L-1). There were significant decrease (p<0.05) in plasma glucose (showing hypoglycemia situation), plasma protein and triglyceride with a significant increase (p<0.050) in plasma cholesterol when compared with the control. These changes were directly proportional to the toxicant concentration and the exposure periods thus it is dose dependent and time-dependent.