EFFECTS OF 2, 3-DICHLOROVINYL DIMETHYL PHOSPHATE (DDVP) ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (TREWAVAS, 1983) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.

Northern region of Niger state. Studies were carried out using chronic toxicity bioassay to determine the effect of sub- lethal concentrations of 2, 3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) on Oreochromis niloticus (Trewavas, 1983) under laboratory conditions. Experimental fish were exposed to test water separately diluted with sub lethal concentrations of DDVP of 0.00, 0.12, 0.15, 0.19 and 0.25mg/L. A 28 day exposure to sub lethal concentrations of the toxicant resulted in changes in biochemical parameters of the fish on the exposure days (1, 14 and 28). Biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant. It is concluded that abnormalities in blood biochemical parameters were consequences of exposure to the toxicant (sniper 1000EC). It is recommended that the use of DDVP by local fishermen be banned to save aquatic ecosystem.