PERIODIC ADJUSTMENTS OF BODY WEIGHTS AND SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DURING AESTIVATION OF THE AFRICAN LUNGFISH, PROTOPTERUS ANNECTENS OF OGUTA LAKE, NIGERIAA.I. OKAFOR, P.I. NDUKUBA AND J.C. AMAEFULAAbstract Periodic adjustments of body weights, blood haematocrit, haemoglobin, pH and osmolality levels during a twelve month laboratory aestivation of the West African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (Owen) obtained from Oguta lake at Oguta of Imo State, Nigeria were investigated. There was a significant elevation of blood haematocrit, haemoglobin contents and osmolalitv, with a significant reduction in body weights and blood pH within the first two months of aestivation and continued through the fourth, sixth and up to the twelfth month. The essence of these physiological adjustments which ensure survival throughout the duration of aestivation are discussed.
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