Effects of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated biphenyls on the morphology of the intestine of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(80)90101-2· OSTI ID:6879914

Hawkes, J W; Gruger, Jr, E H; Olson, O P

Structural changes of the intestinal mucosal cells of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exposed in parallel experiments to a model mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated biphenyls, and the combined contaminants have been studied by light and electron microscopy. The mucosa was intact in the control and petroleum hydrocarbon-exposed fish; some exfoliation was observed in the group exposed to chlorinated biphenyls. The group fed the combined contaminants (petroleum and chlorinated biphenyls) had considerably increased sloughing indicating an interactive effect. The goblet or mucous cells appeared normal in all groups, but in the contaminant-exposed groups the columnar cells of the mucosa had distinct subcellular inclusions. The inclusions were not stained by carbohydrate-specific (PAS) or lipid-specific (Sudan black) reagents. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions that appeared after exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons were variable in size and contained a flocculent, finely granular material. In the petroleum hydrocarbon-exposed group the inclusions differed from both the chlorinated biphenyl and the combined-contaminant groups. The inclusions in the latter groups included large, irregularly shaped vesicles with relatively electron-transparent material and other vesicles with a range of electron densities. The cellular alterations were consistent within the exposed groups and presented a distinct change from normal morphology. Since the average gain in weight for all groups was similar, we could not conclude, however, that functional impairment from intestinal damage had occurred.

• Research Organization: National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA
• OSTI ID: 6879914
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 23:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
02 PETROLEUM
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
HYDROCARBONS
INTESTINES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
HISTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
INGESTION
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
SALMON
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
FISHES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTAKE
MEMBRANES
MICROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)
020600 - Petroleum- Health & Safety
550800 - Morphology