Responses of laboratory exposed catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to environmentally relevant concentrations of p,p'-DDT.

Technical grade DDT is annually sprayed for malaria control in many under developed countries world wide. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of DDT, minimal research concerning the effects on indigenous fish species in these areas has been conducted. In this study, the objectives were to identify some of the effects of sprayed p,p'-DDT on the common African sharptooth catfish species (Clarias gariepinus) under laboratory conditions.

The lack of endocrine disrupting effects in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from a DDT sprayed area.

The exposure and response of the catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was studied in male specimens collected in the vicinity of a DDT spraying programme to control malaria. Two sites were situated in the DDT sprayed areas and one site upstream from exposed areas, used as a reference site. The collected specimens were analysed for DDT bioaccumulation and the extent of associated effects.