International Journal of Aquaculture, 2026, Vol.16, No.3, 149-155 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 154 5 Conclusion It can be concluded that haematological parameters are reliable and useful indicators of fish health status in response to environmental changes. The present study demonstrated that sub-lethal concentrations of Senna occidentalis leaf extract disrupt hematological homeostasis in Clarias gariepinus. Significant reductions in RBC, Hb, and PCV with altered MCV indicate hemolytic or hypoxic anemia. These changes are consistent with oxidative injury, impaired erythropoiesis, and cytotoxicity reported for other xenobiotics, indicating that bioactive compounds in S. occidentalis exert hematotoxic effects. Therefore, it can be stated that S. occidentalis toxicity caused consistent, gradual damage to the immune system of C. gariepinus. In relation to the potential risk of using Senna occidentalis in aquaculture environments or its relevance for toxicological assessment in fish, these data offer a reference point for assessing fish health and promoting safe application of plant-based extracts in aquaculture. Author’s Contribution Idowu Adekunle Adedoyin conceived and designed the study, critically reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final version. Adesanya Oluwatosin Emmanuel participated in the hatchery experiment, drafted the manuscript, and contributed to funding support. Towolawi Adeleke Taofik contributed to funding and conducted the haematological analyses together with Adesanya Oluwatosin Emmanuel. Odukoya Abimbola Erastus documented the sub-acute exposure experiment and also contributed to manuscript preparation. Adekola Mukaila B. supervised the overall study, participated in the experimental design and coordination, and assisted in drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgments The authors, in agreement, extend warm appreciation to the Head of Department (HOD) of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management for permission to experiment in the departmental hatchery. Also, to the HOD of Environmental Health Science for the facilities and support for this research. References Adedeji A.J., Maurice N.A., Wungak Y.S., Adole J.A., Chima N.C., Woma T.Y., Chukwuedo A.A., and Shamaki D., 2017, Diagnosis of ORF in West African dwarf goats in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 11(2): 90-94. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajid.v11i2.12 Adeleye A.T., Bahar M.M., Megharaj M., Fang C., and Rahman M.M., 2024, The unseen threat of the synergistic effects of microplastics and heavy metals in aquatic environments: a critical review, Current Pollution Reports, 10: 47897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-024-00298-7 Afia O.E., and Gift S.D., 2017, Haematological profile and growth response of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) fingerlings to locally formulated and commercial pelleted diets in tarpaulin tanks, American Journal of Innovative Research and Applied Sciences, 4(6): 213-222. Ahmed I., Reshi Q.M., and Fazio F., 2020, The influence of the endogenous and exogenous factors on hematological parameters in different fish species: A review, Aquaculture International, 28: 869-899. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-019-00501-3 Ali A., Devarajan S., Manickavasagan A., and Ata A., 2022, Anti-nutritional factors and biological constraints in the utilization of plant protein foods, Plant Protein Foods, Springer, pp. 407-438. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91206-2_14 Amoatey P., and Baawain M.S., 2019, Effects of pollution on freshwater aquatic organisms, Water Environment Research, 91: 1272-1287. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1221 Belay W., and Enyew M., 2016, Major toxic plants and their effect on livestock: A review, Advances in Life Science and Technology, 45: 1-12. Bojarski B., Osikowski A., Hofman S., Szała L., Szczygieł J., and Rombel-Bryzek A., 2022, Effects of exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide on haematological parameters, plasma biochemical indices and the microstructure of selected organs of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758), Folia Biologica, 70: 213-229. https://doi.org/10.3409/fb_70-4.24 Das S., Parida V.K., Tiwary C.S., Gupta A.K., and Chowdhury S., 2024, Emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment: fate, occurrence, impacts, and toxicity, ACS Symposium Series. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2024-1475.ch001 Dey S., Saxena A., Kumar Y., Maity T., and Tarafdar A., 2022, Understanding the anti-nutritional factors and bioactive compounds of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense), Journal of Food Quality, 2022: 1578448. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1578448 Diouf A., Sarr F., Sene B., Ndiaye C., Fall S.M., and Ayessou N.C., 2019, Pathways for reducing anti-nutritional factors: Prospects for Vigna unguiculata, Journal of Nutritional Health and Food Science. https://doi.org/10.15226/jnhfs.2019.001157
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