Hematological and Histopathological Study of Clarias gariepinus Fed Moringa oleifera Seed Meal Diets

Abstract

This study investigated the haematological and histopathological profiles of Clarias gariepinus fed Moringa oleifera seed meal diets (MSD) at inclusion levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in replacement of soybean meal diet, and coded MSD1 (Control) - MSD5. The blood and organs (liver and gills) were collected from two fish in each treatment after 84 days of feeding trials for hematological and histopathological study and the data were statistical analysed. The highest values of erythrocyte (3.15±0.03µL), Hematocrit (36.85±0.03%) and leukocyte (237.4±0.06µL) were recorded from MSD2 while the lowest values of erythrocyte (2.22±0.03µL), Hematocrit (7.76±0.22%) and leukocyte (196.94±0.02µL) were recorded from MSD4, MSD5 and MSD5 respectively. The highest lymphocyte value (99.05±0.03µL) was recorded from fish fed MSD3 while the lowest value (97.83±0.02µL) was recorded from fish fed MSD2. There was a decreasing trend of haematological values as the MSD inclusion increases; that is, the higher replacement of soybean meal with MSM the lower the RBC, PCV, haemoglobin and WBC values. The histology examinations revealed normal hepatocytes and erythrocyte infiltration, distorted hepatic tissue and infiltration of mucosa cell in liver and that the gills remain in good condition in all the experimental fish except for MSD3 that showed slight degeneration of the lamellae and gill rays. This study have demonstrated that Moringa oleifera seed meal diet (MSD) can replace soybean meal up to 20% inclusion level with little or no damage to the fish health in the diet of C. Gariepinus, since both hematology and histology results didn’t revealed any severe lesion on the blood profiles and examined organs. Thus, adoption of MSD up to 20% inclusion level in replacement of SBM in the diet of C. Gariepinus fingerlings is safe to the fish health and fish consumers.