ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Hematological responses of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles exposed to Leptadenia hastata, Nymphaea lotus extracts, and urea fertilizer under a static bioassay system
Authors
David LT, Jibrin Haliru, Mohammed Abubakar, Salawu Ajoze
Abstract
Hematological parameters are sensitive
biomarkers for evaluating sub-lethal toxicity and physiological stress in fish.
This study assessed the hematological responses of Oreochromis niloticus
juveniles exposed to aqueous extracts of Leptadania hastata, Nymphaea lotus,
and urea fertilizer under a 96-hour static bioassay. A total of 480 juveniles
(17 ± 0.5 g) were exposed to graded concentrations of L. hastata (1–5
mL/L), N. lotus (5–20 mL/L), and urea fertilizer (0.5–2.5 mL/L).
Hematological indices including red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell
count (WBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and
erythrocytic indices were analyzed. Results showed significant
concentration-dependent alterations (p < 0.05) across treatments. Progressive
reductions in RBC, Hb, and PCV indicated anemia-like conditions and impaired
oxygen transport, while significant increases in WBC suggested stress-induced
immune responses. Among the tested substances, L. hastata induced the
most pronounced hematological disturbances, followed by urea fertilizer and N.
lotus. These findings demonstrate that both plant-derived extracts and
inorganic fertilizers can adversely affect the hematological integrity of O.
niloticus juveniles. Regulation and toxicological screening of such
substances prior to aquaculture application are strongly recommended. Based on
the observed hematological disturbances, routine hematological monitoring is
recommended as an early-warning tool for detecting sub-lethal toxicity in
aquaculture systems. The use of medicinal plants extracts and urea fertilizer
in fish culture should be carefully regulated to prevent hematopoietic
impairment and associated physiological stress in culture fish species.
Download
Pages:7-11
How to cite this article:
David LT, Jibrin Haliru, Mohammed Abubakar, Salawu Ajoze "Hematological responses of <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> juveniles exposed to <i>Leptadenia hastata</i>, <i>Nymphaea lotus</i> extracts, and urea fertilizer under a static bioassay system". International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 7-11
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.