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IOSR Journal of Pharmacy
e-ISSN: 2250-3013, p-ISSN: 2319-4219, www.iosrphr.org
Volume 2 Issue 6 ‖‖ Nov-Dec. 2012 ‖‖ PP.60-66

Histopathological changes due to some chlorinated hydrocarbon
pesticides in the tissues to cyprinus carpio
1
Shanta Satyanarayan*, J. P. Kotangale Ahana Satyanarayan2
Sanyogita Verma3
1,2,3
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI),
Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020

Abstract––Chronic bioassay studies were carried out using the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides like DOT,
BHC, Aldrin and Dieldrin using fresh water fish Cyprinus carpio as test organism. The aim of the studies
were : i) the effect of these chlorinated hydrocarbons on fish on prolonged exposure to the sublethal
concentration levels determined from acute toxicity studies; ii) their effect on vital internal organs
(Histopathological studies) such as gill, kidney, liver and intestine, before and after the exposure, to ascertain
internal injury, if any.
The accumulation of the chlorinated hydrocarbons in different tissues clearly indicate the potential
hazards of the pesticides. In small doses, these may not be detrimental from water pollution point of view, but
can create great hazard by accumulating in fish tissues.
Different tissues showed different accumulation of pesticides. Histopathological changes were observed in
vital organs. Gills showed swelling and thickening in their filaments. In some cases, the epithelial wall of the
secondary lamellae was completely destroyed and the pillar cells showed complete fusion. Mucous cells were
completely destroyed. In most cases, the epithelium of the secondary lamellae was separated from the
supporting pillar cells. Complete necrosis and sloughing of secondary lamellae from the supporting pillar
cells was observed.
Liver showed abnormal fatty degeneration. Enlargement of liver was observed in few cases.
Necrosis, congestion and fatty degeneration were also observed.
Kidney tissue also showed abnormalities. Large vacuolated cells were seen in the glomerulii. Acute
tubular necrosis was seen. The glomerulii were shrunken with sloughed necrotic glomerulii lining cells in the
lumen. Intestine showed fusion of intestinal folds and acute epithelial necrosis.

Keywords––Chlorinated pesticides, chronic assay, Histology, Cyprinus carpio, Tissues, Mucous cells,
Lamella.

I. INTRODUCTION
Pesticides have been found to be highly toxic not only to fish but also to the organisms, which
constitute the food chain [1,2,3]. Pesticides in general, are used very extensively in agriculture, forestry, public
health and in veterinery practices. Hence, it is necessary to study the immediate and chronic effects of pesticides
on fish, which form a part of human diet. These compounds have a tendency to accumulate in small quantities in
lower fish food organisms and ultimately biomagnify themselves in the fish species. Therefore, it would be very
pertinent to study the effect of such chlorinated hydrocarbons on long-term exposure by chronic studies to
ascertain the residual toxicity.
It is reported that the chronic toxicity may ultimately cause death or may result in the elimination of
species or individuals over a long period of time, through a host of effects such as induced sterility, interference
with an organism's natural defence mechanism, loss of appetite, blindness, hyper exitability or other weaknesses
[4]
and reduction in fertility[5]. Chronic studies were shown to be useful in determining long term effects on
fishes [6,7].
Review on available literature on fish and environmental pollutants indicate that the sublethal doses of
most of the pesticides cause varying extent of histopathological injuries to different organs in fishes; the amount
of damages are usually dependent on dose, duration of exposure and type of pgsticide[8-14]. Literature reviews
are available on pollution and fish physiology and also discussed harmful impacts of different heavy metals,
pesticides, dyes etc. on various life activities of fishes. It is reported that most of the pollutants induce mortality,
genotoxicity and histopathology thus impairing respiration, metabolism and enzyme activities in affected fishes.

60


In this context it was thought worthwhile to study the chronic effects of some selected pesticides on the
vital organs of a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
A constant dosing device designed and fabricated in the institute was used in this study [9] and is shown
in Figure 1. Other experimental details are given in the earlier paper by the author[17]. The test fish, Cyprinus
carpio were procured from the Department of Fisheries, Maharashtra State, Nagpur, India. The pesticides
Aldrin, Dieldrin, BHC and DOT were procured from M/s Fluka Company, Switzerland. The concentration of
Aldrin, Dieldrin, BHC and DDT used for the experiment were 0.005, 0.002, 1.000 and 0.002 mg L-1
respectively. The test fish were kept in the test solution of known concentration for a period extending over to
20 and 30 days. After every 24 hours fresh test solution was introduced. The experiments were run in replicates
for all pesticides. Fishes were taken out at an interval of 20 and 30 days, sacrificed and various tissues viz. liver,
kidney, gills and intestine were dissected out, fixed in Bouin's fluid, preserved and processed for histological
study. Only the photographs indicating well pronounced histopathotogical changes have been included in this
paper.

III. OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION
During 30 days exposure, liver of Cyprinus carpio showed highest accumulation of pesticides, in
comparison to other tissues. Kidney showed most accumulation next only to liver. It was observed that longer
the exposure time, the higher was the accumulation. Next to liver and kidney, intestine showed higher
accumulation of aldrin, BHC and dieldrin[18].
Histopathological studies were carried out on various fish tissues. Control tissues of gill, intestine,
kidney and liver are shown in Plate 1. Detail of histopathological changes observed are discussed below.

IV. GILLS
The gills in control fish showed a row of long thin filaments, the primary lamellae, projecting from the
gill arch like the teeth of a comb. On its distal and ventral surface were the secondary lamellae. Secondary
lamellae consist of an envelop of epithelial cells, usually one layer thick, supported and separated by pillar cells
arranged in rows (Plate 1).
The treated gills of fish showed the damage to varying extent depending on the exposure period. As the
exposure time increased the degree of damage also increased. Dieldrin and DDT treated gills exhibited more
destruction of the gill filaments. DDT treated gills showed a partial detachment of epithelium after 20 days
exposure time. Secondary lamellae were thickened and completely disorganised and disintegration just set in. In
case of 30 days exposed gills, the cell mass between secondary lamellae were thickened to such an extent that
interlamellar spaces were completely occluded giving the filament a compact appearance (Plate 2a & 2b).
Complete disintegration of secondary lamellae was observed in gills exposed to dieldrin for 30 days (Plate 2d)
and in 20 days the disintegration was to a lesser extent.
Aldrin treated gills showed severe damage both in 20 and 30 days period; with shrinkage of secondary
lamellae with a slight curling bend in 20 days exposure (Plate 2c). In 30 days exposure, gill showed curling of
the tips of secondary lamellae. Epithelial wall was destroyed completely and only pillar cells were left.
Gills exposed to BHC showed complete destruction of epithelial walls. Secondary lamellae showed
shrinkage. On exposure to 30 days the gill lamellae were completely disintegrated with pillar cells showing the
debris of mucous cells and blood cells (Plate 2e).
Reports on haemorrhage in primary gill lamellae and shortening of secondary gill lamellae after the
exposure to sublethal level of endosulfan is available[19]. Secondary gill filaments at many places were
degenerated after 15 days exposure to phosphomidon[20] as was observed in the present studies with chlorinated
pesticides.
Studies on the toxicity of aldrin to Cyprinus carpio has been reported[14]. At same sublethal
concentration as in the present study, the destruction of epithelium accompanied by loss of mucous cells on top
of gill lamina was observed.

V. LIVER
The study on naphthalene showed formation of lesions and hyperplasty occlusions in gills of
Trachinotus carolinus[21]. Also, epithelial lifting, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of respiratory epithelium,
lamellar fusion and aneurysms in the gills have been reported in Neotropical fish [22].
Liver of control fish composed of large number of polyhedral hepatic cells containing a granular
cytoplasm. Nuclei of the liver cells are vesicular with a large nucleolus, numerous bile ductules, blood
capillaries and sinusoides. The sinusoides were filled with erythrocytes. Sinusoides were irregularly distributed
between polygonal hepatocytes and lined by endothermal cells with very prominent nuclei (Plate 1).

61


Liver and spleen tumors and lipidosis in liver were associated with acute exposure of organochlorine
pesticides PAH and heavy metals in the eel Anguilla Anguilla[23]. Main alterations observed in liver on exposure
to crude oil include hepatocyte swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization, megalocytosis, coagulative dispersed
necrosis, lymphocytic infiltration, melanomacrophate aggregates, spongiosis perichotangitis and bile stagnosis
when exposed to crude oil[24].
The most consistently damaged organ is liver. In most of the cases generalised swelling and pyknosis
of hepatocytic nuclei often with cytoplasmic vacuolation were seen. Clumping of blood cells were observed in
dieldrin and DOT exposed fish livers. Aldrin exposed fishes showed enlargement of nuclei of the blood cells
with localised acute necrosis in 30 days exposure. In general, DOT, dieldrin and BHC treated fish liver showed
more pronounced damage than aldrin treated ones, both in case of 20 days and 30 days exposures (Plate 3e).
Studies on toxicity of aldrin to Cyprinus carpio liver has indicated vacuolation in the hepatic cells[25].
At same concentration as in present study, the hepatic cells vacuolated with slight change in the position of
nucleus, slight atrophy of cells in peripheral and central zone. Hypertrophy of hepatic cells, necrosis and
vacuolation in cytoplasm have been reported due to the effect of pesticide[26]. The connective tissue was
degenerated and some cells showed the rupture of cell membrane.
Degeneration of hepatocytes with extensive pycnosis and involution to carbofuran exposed Channa
punctatus. This trend was similar to the present observalions[27]. Massive necrosis of liver cells with swollen or
disintegrating cells replaced by debris after selenium exposure has been reported in literature [28]. Vacuolation,
loss of regular polygonal shape and marked degeneration in hepatic cells were observed in the present studies,
have also been reported in literature[29].

VI. KIDNEY
The general histological structure of kidney of control fish showed a large number of uriniferous
tubules composed of cuboidal epithelial cells having a central or marginal nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm.
The renal corpuscle comprised of a glomerulus surrounded by a single layered Bowman's capsule. Many blood
capillaries and vessels containing blood cells were seen in the kidney. The intertubular space was full of
haemopoietic tissue, consisting of erythrocytes, lymphocytes and immature blood cells (Plate 1).
Acute cytological necrosis of haemopoietic tissue was observed in case of 30 days dieldrin treated
kidney. Vacuolation and complete disintegration of cuboidal cells of epithelial layer of glomerulii was observed
with BHC. Kidney of 30 days DOT treated fish showed haemopoietic necrosis and vacuolation (Plate 3c). The
glomerulii were shrunken when exposed to dieldrin. Generally aldrin, dieldrin, DOT and BHC treated kidney
after 20 days exposure showed acute necrosis (Plate 3d). Poor supply of oxygenated blood due to pesticide
toxicity may be the cause of necrosis.
Observation on the inflammation of Bowman's capsule and induced degenerative changes in renal
tubules in carbofuran exposed kidney is reported [26]. Further it is reported that severe vacuolization of tubular
epithelium followed by pyknosis resulted. Wider lumen and rupture in uriniferous tubules is also reported [19].
Ruptures and flattening of renal epithelial cells along with displacement of nuclei, widening of tubules lumen,
necrosis in haemopoietic tissue and shrinkage of glomerulus in Channa striatus after the exposure to pesticides
is reported[30]. Reports indicate shrinkage in both glomerulii and epithelial cells, coalescence of adjacent renal
tubules in Anabas testudineus after sublethal exposure to furadan[31].

VII. INTESTINE
A general histological structure of intestine of control fish showed a simple mucoid columnar
epithelium overlying a submucosa, often richly endowed with eosinophilic granule cells and limited by a dense
mucoularis mucosa and fibroelastic layer (Plate 1).
Changes observed in the intestine due to toxicity were the flattening of intestinal folds, fusion with
each other, shrinkage of cells and acute epithelial necrosis. Studies revealed more destruction in tissues of the 30
days exposed fish than the 20 days. DOT exposed intestine showed more flattening of intestinal folds followed
by dieldrin and aldrin. Fish exposed to dieldrin and other insecticides die owing to induced histopathological
changes in liver and intestine[27]. BHC and lindane have also been reported to induce histopathological changes
in liver of fish. The present study also indicated similar trend.
Flattening of the intestinal folds were well defined in case of aldrin exposed fish for 20 days period
(Plate 3a). In 30 days exposed tissue the intestinal folds were completely flattened thereby reducing the surface
area, necrosis was also very defined. Same trend was observed in case of dieldrin also (Plate 3b). In case of
DOT, acute necrosis was observed. Flattening of intestinal folds was seen in 20 days exposed tissue whereas in
30 days exposed tissue fusion and necrosis of epithelial ceils were very acute. In case of BHC, vacuolation and
acute necrosis were observed.

62


Reports on degenerative changes and rupture in tip of villi, loss of structural integrity of mucosal folds
and degeneration & necrosis of submucosa in the intestine of Channa punctatus after the exposure to carbofuran
are found in literature[23]. Report on vacuolization in submucosa & circular muscles and dilation of columnar &
goblet cells of mucosal folds were observed in the present studies[26]. Destruction of columnar epithelium,
submucosa fused with muscles and serosa was found in broken condition after 10 days exposure to
malathion[28]. These histopathological changes were observed in the intestine of Cyprinus carpio subjected to
chlorinated pesticide in the present studies.
All the different groups of pesticides or even the different pesticides of the same group do not have the
same effect on fishes. Moreover, the mode and site of action of different pesticides differ[29].

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Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of the Experimental Set-up for Chronic
Bioassay Studies

64


Plate 1: Histological Structure of control Tissues of Cyprinus carpio

Plate 2: Histopathological Changes observed
a) Gills (30 days, DDT) x 160
b) Gills (30 days, DDT) x 400
c) Gills (20 days, Aldrin) x 160
d) Gills (30 days, Dieldrin) x 400
e) Gills (30 days, BHC) x 400
65


Plate 3: Histopathological Changes observed
a) Intestine (20 days, Aldrin) x 250
b) Intestine (30 days, Dieldrin) x 250
c) Kidney (30 days, DDT) x 250
d) Kidney (20 days, BHC) x 250
e) Liver (30 days, DDT) x 320

66

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