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Abstract

The extensive use of cadmium in industry and the degree of its toxicity indeed pose an environmental problem. The objective of the present work is to study the sub-lethal toxicity effects of cadmium (Cd 2+ ) on serum biochemical changes in the fresh water fish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings and juveniles. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory for a period of 56 days. Fish were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of cadmium (Cd 2+ ) 0.41, 0.81, 1.62 mg/L and control (0.00) for the fingerlings and 0.51, 1.02, 2.03 mg/L Cd 2+ and control (0.00) for the juveniles respectively. However, blood samples were collected for assessing some biochemical changes after 56 days. Glucose level, Cholesterol values, Glutamic oxalo-acetic transaminase (GOT/AST), Glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT/ALT) and Alkaline phosphate (ALP) increased with increase in concentrations of the toxicant compare with the control in both stages of the fish compare with the control, on the other hand, values of Total protein (TP) and Triglyceride decreased with increase in concentration of Cadmium (Cd 2+ ) in the fingerlings stage. However, protein level increased with increase in concentration of cadmium (Cd 2+ ) in the Juveniles stage. The study has shown that the exposure of the fish C. gariepinus fingerling and juveniles to cadmium can inflict unfavourable alterations in the biochemical parameters which could lead to the death of fish.