Cadmium-induced toxicity and antioxidant enzyme responses in tissues and organs of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Juveniles of Clarias gariepinus were exposed to different concentrations of cadmium chloride for 96 h under laboratory conditions using static bioassays with continuous aeration to determine its mean lethal concentration (LC50), biochemical alterations, bioaccumulation and histological pattern in a sub-lethal toxicity test. The median lethal concentration (LC50) at the end of the acute toxicity was 120.2 mgL-1. Also the toxicant led to significant (P liver > gill > muscle. The study concluded that cadmium is a potent pollutant that can cause severe damage in fish and hence man the final consumer.   Key words: Clarias gariepinus, biochemical alterations, bioaccumulation, static bioassays, histopathology.