Fish gill: site of action and model for toxic effects of environmental pollutants

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.877147· OSTI ID:6786010

Evans, D H

The gill epithelium is the site of gas exchange, ionic regulation, acid-base balance, nitrogenous waste excretion by fishes. The last three processes are controlled by passive and active transport of various solutes across the epithelium. Various environmental pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, acid rain, and organic xenobiotics) have been found to affect the morphology of the gill epithelium. Associated with these morphological pathologies, one finds alterations in blood ionic levels, as well as gill Na, K-activated ATPase activity and ionic fluxes. Such physiological disturbances may underlie the toxicities of these pollutants. In addition, the epithelial transport steps which are affected in the fish gill model resemble those described in the human gut and kidney, sites of action of a variety of environmental toxins.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 6786010
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 71; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID ANHYDRASES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATP-ASE
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BODY
COPPER COMPOUNDS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
FISHES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GILLS
HYDROLASES
INTESTINES
KIDNEYS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANS
PHOSPHOHYDROLASES
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC COMPOUNDS