Hepatic pathologies in the brackish water catfish (Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus) from contaminated locations of the Lagos lagoon complex

Abstract

Several toxicological studies into the effects of aquatic pollutants on the liver of teleost fish exist in literature. The focus on the liver in these studies is predicated on its central nature in the scheme of biotransformation and excretion of xenobiotics following exposure in polluted water bodies. As a consequence of the latter primary role of the liver in these processes, it is regarded as a predilective site for the sub lethal effects of xenobiotics on the organism usually detectable at histological level. Hepatic histopathology recorded in livers from feral populations of the brackish water catfish Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from locations on the Lagos lagoon complex with significant anthropogenic inputs from denizen populations and industries are presented. Liver sections from sixty specimens from two locations on the Lagos lagoon complex (Badagry lagoon: 6⁰ 24’ N, 2⁰ 56’E; and Lagos lagoon: 6⁰ 29’ N, 3⁰ 22’ E) were analysed. Observed pathologies included hydropic degeneration (58%), portal/sinusoidal congestion (33%), hepatic necrosis (26%), hemosiderosis (12%) and foci of cellular alterations (FCA’s). No obvious oncologic features were observed; the presence of the hydropic vacuolation lesion was taken as prelude to the development of neoplasms and discussed as such.

Key words: Liver, pathology, fish, toxicology, water quality.