Abstract

Six tissues (muscle, liver, stomach, gonad, kidney, gill) from each of 2 species of benthic or platform associated fish were examined microscopically for histopathologic conditions. A total of 1440 specimens (6 tissues x 5 fish x 2 species x 24 stations) were collected from 20 oil producing platforms and 4 control stations in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. The objectives were to describe pathologic conditions and to ascertain any correlation with their proximity to production platforms. This work was part of a broad project which also included studies of hydro-graphy, hydrocarbons, sediments and biota, trace metals, microbiology and invertebrate histopathology. The following conditions were observed in all six tissues: protozoa, helminths and acidophilic granular cells. Less frequent observations were: hyperplasia of the gill filaments, vasocongestion (gill), edema (gill), leukocytosis (liver, gill), fatty infiltration (liver) and chromatophores (liver, kidney, stomach). These are preliminary observations. The final data synthesis has not been reported.

Notes

This is a preliminary report, the program is still in progress. Samples were taken from May to December, 1978. The Louisiana oil patch occurs from the Mississippi delta to offshore regions. The Mississippi river may be a significant source of petroleum contaminating products.

Chromatophores:

- Melanophores associated with them.

- 3 or more pigments can be in the same cell.

- in the liver, the pigment was always associated with the hepatopancreas, as indeed were protozoa as well.

- the color of the pigment ranged from yellow to dark brown.

Slides

1. Acidophilic granular cells

   - beneath liver capsule

   - in gills

   - in gastric submucosa

   - around bile ducts

   - in testicle

   - can be found in all fish tissues, however some fish specimens did not have these acidophilic granular cells at all

   - they may be involved in the fish's "alert" reaction

2. Mucous cells associated with the gills. An increased number of mucous cells can be found here in reaction to a number of environmental factors.

3. "Atresia" of ovum - vacuolization within the ovum

4. Corpuscle of Stanneus

   - endocrine in nature

   - on the kidney

5. Intimal hyperplasia in a large artery

6. Fatty infiltration of the liver in the spadefish. It is not intracellular. It replaces liver tissue.