ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Chloride cells
;
Acid stress
;
Gill
;
Electron microscopy
;
Fathead minnow
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, were exposed for 129 days to Lake Superior water acidified with sulfuric acid by means of a flow-through toxicant injection system. The effects of chronic acid stress (pH 6.5, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0) on gill histology were examined. Most of the histological effects were seen at pH 5.5 and 5.0 and were confined primarily to changes in numbers, distribution, and morphology of chloride cells. At low pH levels there tend to be more chloride cells in the gill epithelium and an increased percentage of these cells in the secondary lamellae. In contrast to normal chloride cells, chloride cells from fish exposed to low pH frequently had apical pits while some had bulbous apical evaginations. The occurrence of structural changes in chloride cells during exposure to acid water suggests that chloride cells may be involved in acclimation to acid stress.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00216521
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