Effects of Fe-DTPA on Health and Welfare of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Fingerlings (0.23 g) and juveniles (267.04 of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were reared for 32 days under experimental aquarium conditions exposed to either 0.75 mg/L or 3.0 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-iron(II) (Fe-DTPA) 12.0 Fe-DTPA in the water, respectively. These treatment groups compared a control group without additional Fe-DTPA. The growth, mortality, ethological indicators (activity, agonistic interactions, air-breathing), leukocyte distribution, histopathological changes liver gills, genetic biomarkers evaluated each group. While behavior not significantly different between groups, lymphocyte count fish’s blood increased all during course experiment, but independently from treatments. A similar trend (p > 0.05) was observed monocytes. number granulocytes decreased significantly, indicated possibility an ongoing immune response fish treatments that might be caused by increasing aggressive fish. However, did cause notable suppression enhancement reactions. Fe3+ accumulations tissues detected at tested concentrations, further occurred cells gills. Gene-expression biochips used simultaneously quantify transcript levels 34 genes associated with iron metabolism stress physiology head kidney samples. obtained gene-expression profiles reveal any significant differences across time points. results indicate supplementation concentrations can considered relatively harmless health welfare catfish.