HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) LIVER EXPOSED TO METHLYPARABEN

Methylparaben is a preservative with the chemical formula CH3(C6H4(OH)COO), which is the methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid often used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products used as a food preservative. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the histopathological alterations in the liver of C. gariepinus exposed to different concentrations of methylparaben. nine (9 ) samples of adult C. gariepinus with average weight and length of 1.15 ± 0.21 kg and 44.46 ± 2.82 cm were purchased from a reputable fish farm in Etioro and transported to the Fish Hatchery Unit of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. The fish for exposure, were exposed to caring concentration of Mep 0.074 and 1.48mg/L for 28days ,they were dissected and the liver were exposed and kept in 10% formalin for histopathology studies. The result of the study revealed that the control group shows a normal central venule with the morphology of the hepatocytes showing mild glycogenic cytoplasm, and there is no infiltration of inflammatory cells; while the fish that were exposed to 0.74 mg/L of MeP showed a normal central venule with the morphology of the hepatocytes showing mild glycogenic cytoplasm, and there is no infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, the the fish that were exposed to 1.48 mg/L of MeP showed a poor architecture, with severe glycogenic cytoplasm and necrotic hepatocytes.Therefore , the study shows that Mep causes oxidative stress leading to cell damage, inflammation and lipid metabolism,dyregulation in the liver of Clarias gariepinus. Consequently regulatory measures are recommended to control Methylparaben use in product,that could lead to the contamination of the aquatic environment,thereby protecting African catfish and other aquatic life.