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ABSTRACT
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have potential uses in varied fields and their deposition into the natural ecosystem inevitably occurs. This study examined the acute effects of the exposure of ZnO NPs to the embryos of Clarias gariepinus embryos under laboratory conditions. The activities of the biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured following established methods after 96 hours of exposure of the embryos to the different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 µg/L) of ZnO NPs. The results obtained indicate a dose-dependent increase in the MDA concentrations with increasing levels of the ZnO NPs in the embryos. The SOD activity recorded a steady decline with the increases in the concentration of the ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs demonstrated a sign of oxidative damage represented in the lowering of the SOD activity which contrasts with the recorded elevated concentrations of the MDA in the embryos of the Clarias grapienus. The increasing MDA levels represent excessive production of ROS whose conversion to oxygen and hydrogen is limited due to the reduction in the SOD activity. This could disrupt the proper functioning of the cells in the embryos of the Clarias grapienus causing damages and eventually leading to their death. The result indicates that the ZnO NPs in the aquatic environment could affect the health conditions of the fish, especially in the early developmental stages.
