Histological Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Ovarian Recrudescence in African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus)

Climate change standard forecasts have heightened occurrence of severe
weather actions like global warming and flooding. This in effect increases
periodic volume of water level fluctuation in lentic water bodies thereby
altering their natural composition. Too much water level variation is
projected to have more serious effect on the morphology, role and
biodiversity of marshy localities than effects due to increase in
temperature owing to change in climate pattern. So, this study was
undertaken, to unravel specific areas and extent of water level effects on
fish fecundity. It specifically targeted assessment of the effect of water
levels variations on Clarias gariepinus broodstock. This study was carried
out to assess the impact of climate change on ovarian recrudescence in
African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) female broodstock fed housefly
maggot meal based diets. A total of 24 Clarias gariepinus female
broodstock were randomly distributed into 12 concrete tanks for a 49
day growth trial. Two (2) female broodstock fish was stocked per
experimental concrete tank and were fed in triplicates at 2% body weight
in two portions per day. The effect of water level variation on the fish
ovarian recrudescence was investigated histologically. The results
suggested that gonads of Clarias gariepinus reared in higher water
volumes developed to phase V and V1 (spawning and depletion stage)
within 7 weeks. Hence there was a significant difference (P > 0.05) in
gonadal development in fishes reared at varying water levels. Results
therefore suggest that water level variation has significant effect on
gonadal maturation in Clarias gariepinus female broodstock. These results
highlight the vulnerability of fish, especially Clarias gariepinus in the face
of climate change. The results will be useful for aquaculture as adaptation
strategies are needed to contain the effect of water level fluctuation in the
wild.

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