The effect of sublethal concentrations of tobacco leaf dust on the haematological parameters
of the African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, mean weight 108.69± 4.02g and mean length
23.00±0.86cm was investigated using static renewal bioassay system during a 7days
exposure period. The result obtained revealed significant difference (P<0.01) in the
haematological parameters examined (haematocrit, haemoglobin, total erythrocytes count
and mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration) depicting a proportional decrease with an
increase in the toxicant concentration during the exposure period. The haematological
parameters (mean erythrocyte volume, mean erythrocyte haemoglobin) showed insignificant
differences in the exposed fish compared to the control. Haematological examination showed
that there was destruction of the erythrocytes production and the concentration of
haemoglobin in the RBC was much lower in the exposed fish compared to the control
depicting an anaemic condition.
