LAUSR

Dimethoate (DM) is an organophosphate insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, household practices. It has resulted in a series of environmental and toxicological impacts on non-target aquatic organisms. The present study investigated the potential ameliorative effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) against dimethoate toxicity in the haematological and immune parameters in Clarias batrachus. The experiment included group A (basal diet), group B (basal diet with 1.245 mg L-1 DM) and group C (200 mg kg-1 AA with 1.245 mg L-1 DM) were fed for 8 weeks. Samples were collected at the end of every week in each group and estimated haematological profile (red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit %, albumin and globulin levels), erythrocyte indices (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration), biochemical parameters (AA levels in blood and liver, total proteins, glucose, serum triglycerides, creatinine levels and glutamic oxaloacetate, glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GOT, GPT)) and immune responses (white blood cell count, serum IgM levels and activities of nitroblue tetrazolium, lysozyme and peroxidase) of the fish. Fish fed with ascorbic acid, showed red blood cell, haemoglobin, haematocrit, erythrocyte indices, albumin, globulin and serum triglycerides, creatinine, plasma total proteins, glucose levels are not differed (≤10%) from control. Likewise, ascorbic acid maintains optimal levels in activities of GOT, GPT, nitroblue tetrazolium, lysozyme and peroxidase, white blood cells and serum IgM levels. Further studies are needed to ascertain how ascorbic acid improves the innate and humoral immune system of the fish and the mechanisms involved.