Histopathological changes induced by ambient ammonia (ammonium sulphate) on the opercular linings of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

Abstract

Acute toxicity of 2 g 1.' (LCSO) ammonium sulphate on the outer and inner epithelial linings of the operculum of the air-breathing catfish Heteropneustes fossills (Bloch) at different intervals of exposure was studied using histochemical techniques. The inner and outer ep~thelial linings showed different responses to the corrosive action of the inorganic fertilizer The outer epithelial lining exhibited massive and quicker damage due to necrosls and sloughing of its surface epithelial cells along with degeneration and disappearance of the club cells. Simultaneous regeneration of various cellular elements of the epidermis was also observed There were comparatively very few necrotic changes in the cellular constituents of the inner epithelial lining The alterations observed include hyperplasia of the epithelial cells (which showed accumulation of glycogen granules) and periodic increases followed by decreases in the density and size of the goblet mucous cells.

Branchial placenta in the viviparous teleost Ilyodon whitei (Goodeidae)

“…The wavy surface of the epithelium of the inner side of the operculum observed in I. whitei is similar to that described in the cyprinid Garra lamta , feature that is considered to facilitate an increase in its stretchability, during the expansion of the branchial chamber (Mittal et al, ). The presence of a dense population of mucous cells of I. whitei in the opercular inner epithelium suggests a mucogenic activity coinciding with observations of Paul and Banerjee (), in their description of the secretion of the opercular lining of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis , which contains varying quantities of glycoproteins; and, with descriptions of Mittal et al (), in G. lamta . The operculum provides protection for the delicate gills, probably with the help of the extensive mucogenic activity of its epithelial lining (Garg and Mittal, ; Paul and Banerjee, 1997).…”

Histopathology of respiratory organs of certain air-breathing fishes of India

“…At sublethal toxic level most pollutants induce substantial damage (depending upon the species of the contaminant) to the epithelial cells of the most superficial layer that shed singly or in small flakes Banerjee 1991, 1993c;Banerjee and Paul 1993;Paul 1996bPaul , 1997. In many cases, the club cells, which decrease subsequently in their volume in the outermost layer, also show periodic shedding.…”

Response of mucous cells of the gills of traíra (Hoplias malabaricus) and jeju (Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus) (Teleostei: Erythrinidae) to hypo- and hyper-osmotic ion stress

“…Mucous cells present in the gill filament epithelium and their secretion may be a mechanism for adaptation to different conditions of the aquatic environment. Changes in the density of the mucous cells of gills and skin (Paul & Banerjee, 1997) have been considered as a response to the changes in the ion concentration in water such as sodium, calcium and chloride (Perry & Wood, 1985;Laurent & Hebibi, 1989) and xenobiotics (Wendelaar Bonga et al, 1989).…”