ABSOLUTE FECUNDITY OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FEMALE BROODSTOCKS EXPOSED TO METHYLPARABEN

Methylparaben (MEP) are the ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and the most used parabens used as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics, drugs, and food (Medkova et al., 2023). Acute toxicity studies have shown that methylparaben is practically non-toxic by both oral and parenteral administration in animals. The purpose of this study is to examine the absolute fecundity of C. gariepinus female broodstock exposed to methylparaben. Twelve (12) female samples of C. gariepinus were purchased from Mr. Victor's fish farm in Etioro and were brought into the hatchery unit of the department of Animal and Environmental Biology of Adekunle Ajasin University. The standard length, total length, and weight of each fish were taken before exposure. The fish for exposure, which are control, 1.48 mg/l and 0.74 mg/l, were transported to the plastic tanks containing freshwater and allowed to adapt to the new environment (acclimatize) for a week before exposure of the fish to MEP began. The exposure was five times in a week (Monday to Friday) for a month, and feeding was also done from Monday to Friday. After the exposure for four weeks (a month), the fish were transferred from the treatment tanks to the laboratory for dissection. Each fish was cut open, making use of the dissecting kit (scissors), and the intestines were collected. The organs collected were then fixed in a sample bottle containing 10% formaldehyde. The study revealed that the group that was exposed to the 0.74 mg/L MEP had the highest mean value (883.50 ± 126.68) of fecundity, followed by the group exposed to 1.48 mg/L of MEP (820.95 ± 146.65), and the control had the lowest mean value (516.55 ± 30.87) of fecundity. The study revealed that there is a significant difference between the groups. Based on the findings obtained from this study, it is concluded that the fecundity of female C. gariepinus broodstock exposed to varying concentrations of methylparaben significantly influenced the fecundity of the fish. Regulatory agencies should consider limiting the allowable concentrations of methylparaben on fish and in products that may enter aquatic environments.