Histopathological changes in the organs of Clarias gariepinus fed processed velvet beans

Abstract

Processed velvet beans (PVB) was substituted for soybeans diet at four inclusion levels and fed to the juveniles of Clarias gariepinus for 84 days after which the fish were examined for possible histo-pathological changes in its vital organs. Results showed that fish fed 0% (control) diet showed no pathological changes in any of the vital organs, however, fish fed PVB diets showed various histo-pathological changes in the brain, liver and kidney. Fish fed diet containing 10% PVB showed moderate spongiosis of the white matter in the cerebellum of the brain while those fed 20% and 30% showed marked spongiosis. The liver recorded various forms of changes in its hepatocytes in all treatments except the control. Marked congestion was observed in the kidney of fish fed diets containing 20% and 30% PVB. It was concluded that the level of processing in this study is insufficient for safe consumption by C. gariepinus.