Evaluation of Health Status and Histo-Architecture of Heterobranchus Longifilis and Clarias Buthupogon Obtained from Asa River, Nigeria

Gross impact of water pollution and water borne pollutants on aquatic organisms and man has become a great concern to public health in the recent time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pollutants from the polluted Asa River on the liver histology of Clarias buthupogon and Heterobranchus longifilis. The sample included a total of 55 individuals (28 for C. buthupogon and 27 for H. longifilis).There was a recorded moderate to intense alterations of liver tissues. The most notable alterations were congestion of central vein, degeneration of hepatocyte, sinusoidal distortion, cellular inflammation and necrosis. However, all histological alterations recorded in the liver tissues were most likely to be caused by increased concentrations of certain pollutants from industrial, domestic and agricultural premises. Furthermore, these results represent an additionalreason to proceed with a detailed monitoring of the Asa River and the wildlife therein, for the sake of public health.