Cellular responses in the skin of carp ( Cyprinus carpio) exposed to copper

The skin of carp, Cyprinus carpio, was examined at the ultrastructural level after exposure to 1.6 μM (100 μg l −1) of copper for different periods, up to 43 days. During the first 7 days, the skin surface became highly undulating and covered by a web of glycocalyx and amorphous mucus. At this perio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic toxicology 1994, Vol.29 (1), p.49-64
Main Authors: Iger, Y., Lock, R.A.C., Jenner, H.A., Wendelaar Bonga, S.E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Copper pollution
Cyprinus carpio
Dermis
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Epidermis
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Stress
Ultrastructure
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Summary:The skin of carp, Cyprinus carpio, was examined at the ultrastructural level after exposure to 1.6 μM (100 μg l −1) of copper for different periods, up to 43 days. During the first 7 days, the skin surface became highly undulating and covered by a web of glycocalyx and amorphous mucus. At this period, degenerative pavement cells (both apoptotic and necrotic) were common. During the whole period filament cells from the outer epidermal layers were active in synthesizing secretory vesicles of high electron density. Mitotic activity was enhanced, and was located mainly in the vicinity of club cells. Mucous cells differentiated close to the skin surface, became elongated and synthesized highly electron-dense, probably serous, mucosomes. The latter showed peroxidase activity. Many leucocytes invaded the skin, and chloride cells appeared close to the epidermal surface. Merkel cells were depleted of their secretory vesicles during the first week of copper exposure, but recovered afterwards. In the dermis, fibroblasts became more active in the synthesis and secretion of collagen. The pigment in the melanocytes was dispersed in the first weeks, but this reversed towards the end of the experiment. These changes reflect the sensitivity of the skin of fish to waterborne copper. They are comparable to the effects of stressors such as cadmium, lead, or acid water.
ISSN:0166-445X
1879-1514
DOI:10.1016/0166-445X(94)90047-7