Effect of chronic exposure to drilling fluid XP-07 on gonad histology in Tilapia guineensis

Changes in Tilapia guineensis gonads exposed for 12 weeks to XP-07 at a concentration of 2.5, 1.25, 0.63, or 0.32% were investigated using a static renewal method. The histological changes noted in the gonads of the exposed fish were inhibition of maturation in oocytes or spermatogenesis. In contrast, the four stages of sperm or ova development were present in the control fish and spawning occurred. The increasing degeneration (artesia) of maturing egg resulted in complete absence of matured eggs in the female gonads of fish exposed to highest concentration (2.5%) of drilling fluid. The gonadal somatic index (GSI) values were recorded in a decreasing order towards the higher tested concentrations. The GSI values ranged from 3.11 to 1.47% in females and from 0.42 to 0.16% in males, whereas in control, it was 3.18% for females and 0.52% for males. Data showed that XP-07 exerted adverse effects on reproductive processes, which led to impairment in the reproductive success of T. guineensis.