Effect of sublethal dose of mercury toxicity on liver cells and tissue of yellowfin seabream.

The aim of the present study was to provide baseline data on the prevalence of histopathological liver lesions in Acanthopagrus latus under experimental mercury exposure. Experimental study was at seawater recirculatory tanks. Mercury concentrations were determined using a standard cold vapour atomic absorption. Histopathological analyses were done in tissue processor and the slides were stained with haematoxylin and counterstained with eosin. There were many liver lesions including enlarged and lateral nuclei, nuclear degeneration and vacuolation; oncotic, apoptic, focal, massive, centrilobular and periportal necrosis; atrophy, lipidosis, hydropic and cloudy swelling, oval cell proliferation; bile stagnation, dilation of sinusoid, intracellular oedema and dark granules in both field and laboratory conditions. In conclusion the present investigation indicated that mercury is a toxic substance in yellowfin seabream and the sublethal concentrations of mercury may cause several changes in the histological indices of the studied fish, and we can use these changes as biomarkers of mercury detection.