Effects of haloperidol on peripheral erythrocytes and brain neurotransmitter levels of juvenile African Sharptooth Catfish Clarias gariepinus.

Objective: The study investigated the effects of haloperidol on peripheral erythrocytes and brain neurotransmitter levels of juvenile African Sharptooth Catfish Clarias gariepinus.

Methods: Juveniles were exposed to different concentrations of haloperidol (0.12, 0.24, and 0.48 mg/L) for 15 days and subsequently withdrawn from the drug for 5 days. Blood samples from the fish on days 1, 5, 10, and 15 and after the 5-day withdrawal period were analyzed for mutagenic changes, after which the fish were sacrificed. The brain was sampled for serotonergic and dopaminergic analyses.

Result: There was formation of micronuclei in the peripheral fish blood, which increased as the duration and concentrations of the drug increased. The drug significantly reduced the serotonin activity but increased dopamine activity. Some of the studied parameters, however, recovered from the effects of the drug after the 5-day withdrawal period.

Conclusion: Haloperidol is toxic to fish, and its use in the environment should be guarded to avoid adverse impacts on nontarget species like fish.