Atrazine-Induced Impairment of Fecundity and Fertilization in Exposed Adult Clarias gariepinus: Consequences for Hatchability and Larval Survival

This research investigates the impact of atrazine, a widely used herbicide, on the reproductive capabilities of adult Clarias gariepinus, a freshwater catfish of ecological and economic significance. Twelve months old specimens of C. gariepinus comprising of twenty (20) males and twenty (20) females with mean average weight of 1024 ± 88.4g and 1100 ± 97.4g respectively and mean total length of 52.8 ± 2.3cm and 52.7 ± 1.1cm respectively, were exposed to exposed to four different sub-lethal concentrations of atrazine (40µg/L, 60µg/L, 80µg/L, and 100µg/L) in a semi-static renewal assay. Atrazine exposure was found to significantly diminish fecundity in exposed individuals, resulting in a marked reduction in the number of viable eggs produced. Furthermore, the herbicide exhibited a detrimental influence on hatchability, leading to a decreased percentage of successfully hatched embryos. Subsequent examination of larval survival revealed that atrazine exposure hindered the normal development and viability of the offspring. The findings of this study underscore the reproductive hazards associated with atrazine exposure in C. gariepinus, highlighting the potential ecological consequences for the species and the ecosystems they inhabit. Understanding the adverse effects of atrazine on key reproductive parameters is crucial for informing conservation and management strategies, as well as for developing policies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of widespread herbicide use