Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Monitoring and assessment of environmental disturbance on natural Gambusia affinis populations—histopathological analysis

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Physiological investigations are often used to assess the toxic effects of aquatic pollutants in fish and to establish criteria for water quality. In the present study, we tend to investigate the growth performance, skeletal abnormalities, and histological alterations noticed in three natural populations of the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis captured from three estuary sites. The analysis of growth performance demonstrated that the studied populations showed different growth patterns. Additionally, various types of skeletal deformities were observed, and the most commonly affected were the hemal and pre-hemal regions of fishes. For the histological study, gills, liver, and kidney tissues were selected for field monitoring. The major alterations observed in gill tissues were partial fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae, hypertrophy of epithelial cells, and disorganization of pillar cells in many areas of the secondary lamellae. In the liver, significant desquamation of tissues, congestion of the central hepatic vein, and hypertrophy of hepatocytes were noticed. For the kidney tissue, the frequencies of histological alterations showed a significant difference between the studied sites. Moreover, the histological aberrations consisted mainly in glomerule alteration and vacuolation of tubular epithelial cells. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that the physiological alterations noticed in the present investigation are indicators of sensitivity towards environmental disturbance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alazemi, B. M., Lewis, J. W., & Andrews, E. B. (1996). Gill damage in the freshwater fish Gnathonemus petersii (family: Mormyridae) exposed to selected pollutants: an ultrastructural study. Environmental Technology, 17, 225–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, P. (1995). Chronic accumulation of cadmium in the edible tissues of Oreochromis aureus: modification by mercury and lead. Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 29, 8–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrades, J., Becerra, J., & Fernandez-Llebrez, P. (1996). Skeletal deformities in larval, juvenile and adult stages of cultured gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.). Aquaculture, 141, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annabi, A., Messaoudi, I., Kerkeni, A., & Said, K. (2009). Comparative study of the sensitivity to cadmium of two populations of Gambusia affinis from two different sites. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 155, 459–465.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Annabi, A., Kessabi, K., Navarro, A., Saïd, K., Messaoudi, I., & Piña, B. (2012). Assessment of reproductive stress in natural populations of the fish Aphanius fasciatus using quantitative mRNA markers. Aquatic Biology, 17, 285–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Au, D. W. T. (2004). The application of histo-cytopathological biomarkers in marine pollution monitoring: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 48, 817–834.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berntssen, M. H., & Lundebye, A. K. (2001). Energetics in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr fed elevated dietary cadmium. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 128, 311–323.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boglione, C., Gagliardi, F., Scardi, M., & Cautaudella, S. (2001). Skeletal descriptors and quality assessment in larvae and post-larvae of wild-caught and hatchery-reared gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L. 1758). Aquaculture, 192, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. A., Bay, S. M., Alfafara, J. F., Hershelman, G. P., & Rosenthal, K. D. (1984). Detoxification/ toxication of cadmium in scorpionfish (Scorpena guttata): acute exposure. Aquatic Toxicology, 5, 93–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cahu, C., Zambonino Infante, J., & Takeuchib, T. (2003). Nutritional components affecting skeletal development in fish larvae. Aquaculture, 227, 245–258.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cattani, O., Serra, R., Isani, G., Raggi, G., Cortesi, P., & Carpene, E. (1996). Correlation between metallothionein and energy metabolism in sea bass, Dicentrachus labrax, exposed to cadmium. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 113, 193–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cengiz, E. I., & Unlu, E. (2005). Sublethal effects of commercial deltamerthrin on the structure of the gill, liver and gut tissues of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis: a microscopic study. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 21, 246–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P. M., Caeiro, S., & Costa, M. H. (2012). Multi-organ histological observations on juvenile Senegalese soles exposed to low concentrations of waterborne cadmium. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 39, 143–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Divanach, P., Boglione, C., Menu, M., Kounoundouros, G., Kentouri, M., & Cataudella, S. (1996). Abnormalities in finfish mariculture: An overview of the problem, causes and solutions. In B. Chatain, M. Saroglia, J. Sweetman, P. Lavens (Eds.) Sea bass and sea bream culture: Problems and prospects (pp. 45–66). Verona, Italy: European Aquaculture Society

  • Faustino, M., & Power, D. (1998). Development of osteological structures in the sea bream: vertebral column and caudal fin complex. Journal of Fish Biology, 52, 11–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, C., Fontaínhas-Fernandes, A., Rocha, E., & Salgado, M. A. (2008). Monitoring pollution in Esmoriz–Paramos Lagoon, Portugal: liver histological and biochemical effects in Liza saliens. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 145, 315–322.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giari, L., Manera, M., Simoni, E., & Dezfuli, B. S. (2007). Cellular alterations in different organs of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) exposed to cadmium. Chemosphere, 67, 1171–1181.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gjedrem, T., Gjben, H. M., & Gjerde, B. (1991). Genetic origin of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon. Aquaculture, 98, 41–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulati, R. D., Bodar, C. W. M., Schuurmans, A. L. G., Faber, J. A. J., & Zandee, D. I. (1988). Effect of cadmium exposure on feeding of freshwater planktonic crustaceans. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. C, 90, 335–340.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, D. E., & Lauren, D. J. (1990). Integrative histopathological effects of environmental stressors on fishes. American Fisheries Society Symposium, 8, 51–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamil, K. (2001). Bioindicators and biomarkers pollution and risk assessment. In Science publisher (pp. 136–146). Enfield: Inc.

  • Ke, C., & Wang, W. X. (2001). Bioaccumulation of metals (Cd, Se, and Zn) in an estuarine oyster and a coastal oyster. Aquatic Toxicology, 56, 33–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Köhler, H. R., Sandu, C., Scheil, V., Nagy-Petrica, E. M., Segner, H., Telcean, I., Stan, G., & Triebskorn, R. (2007). Monitoring pollution in River Mures, Romania, part III: biochemical effect markers in fish and integrative reflection. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 127, 47–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kranenbarg, S., Waarsing, J. H., Muller, M., Weinans, H., & van Leeuwen, J. L. (2005). Lordotic vertebrae in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L) are adapted to increased loads. Journal of Biomechanics, 38, 1239–1246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagadic, L., Caquet, T., Amiard, J., & Ramade, F. (2000). Use of biomarkers for environmental quality assessment (pp. 79–111). Scientific Publs, Inc., Enfiled, UAS, Plymouth, UK.

  • Madsen, L., & Dalsgaard, I. (1999). Vertebral column deformities in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aquaculture, 171, 41–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J. C. A., Lipton, J., Cacela, D., Hansen, J. A., Bergman, H. L., Meyer, J. S., & Hogstrand, C. (1996). Relationship between copper exposure duration, tissue copper concentration and rainbow trout growth. Aquatic Toxicology, 36, 17–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayrat, A. (1959). Nouvelle méthode pour l’étude comparée d’une croissance relative dans deux echantillons. Application à la carapace de Penaeus kerathurus (Forskal). Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire, 21, 21–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messaoudi, I., Deli, T., Kessabi, K., Barhoumi, S., Kerkeni, A., & Said, K. (2008). Association of spinal deformities with heavy metal bioaccumulation in natural populations of grass goby, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus Pallas, 1811 from the Gulf of Gabe’s (Tunisia). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 156, 551–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson, P. E., Larsson, A., Maage, S., Haux, C., Bonham, K., Zafarullah, M., & Gedamu, L. (1989). Induction of metallothionein synthesis in raimbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, during long-term exposure to water borne cadmium. Fish Physiolology and Biochemistry, 6, 221–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozmen, M., Güngördü, A., Kucukbay, F. Z., & Güler, R. E. (2006). Monitoring the effects of water pollution on Cyprinus carpio in Karakaya Dam Lake, Turkey. Ecotoxicology, 15, 157–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, E. H., & Kim, D. S. (1984). A procedure for staining cartilage and bone of whole vertebrate larvae while rendering all other tissues transparent. Stain Technology, 59, 269–272.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preziosi, R., Gridelli, S., Borghetti, P., Diana, A., Parmeggiani, A., Fioravanti, M. L., Marcer, F., Bianchi, I., Walsh, M., & Berzins, I. (2006). Spinal deformity in a sandtiger shark, Carcharias taurus Rafinesque: a clinical–pathological study. Fish Disease, 29, 49–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richmonds, C., & Dutta, H. M. (1989). Histopathological changes induced by malathion in the gills of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 43, 123–130.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy, P. K., & Lall, S. P. (2007). Vitamin K deficiency inhibits mineralization and enhances deformity in vertebrae of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, 148, 174–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, E., McNicol, R. E., & Evans, R. E. (1997). Impairment of lake trout foraging by chronic exposure to cadmium: a black-box experiment. Aquatic Toxicology, 37, 1–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwaiger, J., Wanke, R., Adam, S., Pawert, M., Honnen, W., & Triebskorn, R. (1997). The use of histopathological indicators to evaluate contaminant-related stress in fish. Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery, 6, 75–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sfakianakis, D. G., Koumoundouro, G., Divanach, P., & Kentouri, M. (2004). Osteological development of the vertebral column and of the fins in Pagellus erythrinus (L. 1758). Temperature effect on the developmental plasticity and morpho-anatomical abnormalities. Aquaculture, 232, 407–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stentiford, G., Longshaw, M., Lyons, B., Jones, G., Green, M., & Feist, S. (2003). Histopathological biomarkers in estuarine fish species for the assessment of biological effects of contaminants. Marine Environmental Research, 55, 137–159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szczerbik, P., Mikołajczyk, T., Sokołowska-Mikołajczyk, M., Socha, M., Chyb, J., & Epler, P. (2006). Influence of long-term exposure to dietary cadmium on growth, maturation and reproduction of goldfish (subspecies: Prussian carp Carassius auratus gibelio B.). Aquatic Toxicology, 77, 126–135.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • The, S. J., Adams, S. M., & Hinton, D. E. (1997). Histopathological biomarkers in feral freshwater fish populations exposed to different types of contaminant stress. Aquatic Toxicology, 4, 165–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thophon, S., Kruatrachuea, M., Upathama, E. S., Pokethitiyooka, P., Sahaphongb, S., & Jaritkhuanc, S. (2003). Histopathological alterations of white seabass, Lates calcarifer, in acute and subchronic cadmium exposure. Environmental Pollution, 121, 307–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, A. J. (1997). Experiments in ecology: Their logical design and interpretation using analysis of variance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Oost, R., Beyer, J., & Vermeulen, N. (2003). Fish bioaccumulation and biomarkers in environmental risk assessment: a review. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 13, 57–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Dyk, J. C., Pieterse, G. M., & Van Vuren, J. H. J. (2007). Histological changes in the liver of Oreochromis mossambicus (Cichlidae) after exposure to cadmium and zinc. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 66, 432–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, C. M. (2001). Toxic responses on the gill. In W. H. Benson & D. W. Schlenk (Eds.), Target organ toxicity in marine and freshwater Teleost (pp. 1–87). Washington, DC: Taylor and Francis.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, Département des Sciences de la vie, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia

    Ali Annabi

  2. Laboratoire de Recherche (LR11-ES41): Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia

    Ali Annabi, Khaled Said & Imed Messaoudi

Authors
  1. Ali Annabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Khaled Said
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Imed Messaoudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Annabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Annabi, A., Said, K. & Messaoudi, I. Monitoring and assessment of environmental disturbance on natural Gambusia affinis populations—histopathological analysis. Environ Monit Assess 187, 318 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4561-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4561-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation