Histopathological effects of [D-Leu(1)]Microcystin-LR variants on liver, skeletal muscle and intestinal tract of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844).

This study evaluated the effects of [D-Leu(1)]Microcystin-LR variants, by the exposure of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix to Microcystis aeruginosa NPLJ4. Fish was placed in aquariums and exposed to 10(5) cells mL(-1). For 15 days, 05 individuals were removed every 05 days, and tissue samples of liver, skeletal muscle and intestinal tract were collected for histopathologic analyses. Following exposure, those surviving were placed in clean water for 15 days to evaluate their recovery. A control without toxins was maintained in the same conditions and exhibited normal histology and no tissue damage. In exposed fish, samples were characterized by serious damages that similarly affected the different organs, such as dissociation of cells, necrosis and haemorrhage. Samples showed signs of recovery but severe damages were still observed. The results should be valuable to analyze the potency of microcystin toxicity and to help in the diagnosis of fish deaths. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.