TY - JOUR
T1 - Histopathological Alterations in the Gonad of Megapitaria squalida (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Inhabiting a Heavy Metals Polluted Environment
AU - Yee-Duarte, Josué Alonso
AU - Ceballos-Vázquez, Bertha Patricia
AU - Arellano-Martínez, Marcial
AU - Camacho-Mondragón, Marian Alejandra
AU - Uría-Galicia, Esther
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American Fisheries Society
PY - 2018/6
Y1 - 2018/6
N2 - The gonadal health status of the chocolate clam Megapitaria squalida collected from the Santa Rosalía mining port and San Lucas beach (reference site), Gulf of California, Mexico, was assessed through histological analysis of the reproductive tissue, from which the histopathological alteration index (HAI) was determined. In addition, copper and iron accumulation in tissue was revealed using histochemical techniques. Our results showed a large presence of copper (30%) and iron (45%) only in the gonad tissue of clams from Santa Rosalía, in which histopathological alterations observed were inflammatory responses, degenerative–progressive processes, cell death, and response to infectious agents. The HAI was significantly higher in Santa Rosalía specimens (mean ± SE, 72.18 ± 6.12) than in San Lucas clams (4.60 ± 1.07). At San Lucas beach, a higher prevalence of histopathological alterations occurred in clams in the spent stage (43.2%) and in autumn (18.4%) and winter (17.8%) in concordance with the normal reproductive rest period, whereas at Santa Rosalía a higher prevalence occurred in clams at the ripe stage (76.9%) and in spring (83.7%). In conclusion, our results showed the deteriorated health condition of gonads in M. squalida from the Santa Rosalía mining port, which suggests there is a relationship with chronic exposure to local high levels of heavy metals. The high prevalence and intensity of histopathological alterations in the gonad suggest a strong adverse effect on gametogenesis, gamete quality, and, ultimately, in the reproductive potential of M. squalida at this site.
AB - The gonadal health status of the chocolate clam Megapitaria squalida collected from the Santa Rosalía mining port and San Lucas beach (reference site), Gulf of California, Mexico, was assessed through histological analysis of the reproductive tissue, from which the histopathological alteration index (HAI) was determined. In addition, copper and iron accumulation in tissue was revealed using histochemical techniques. Our results showed a large presence of copper (30%) and iron (45%) only in the gonad tissue of clams from Santa Rosalía, in which histopathological alterations observed were inflammatory responses, degenerative–progressive processes, cell death, and response to infectious agents. The HAI was significantly higher in Santa Rosalía specimens (mean ± SE, 72.18 ± 6.12) than in San Lucas clams (4.60 ± 1.07). At San Lucas beach, a higher prevalence of histopathological alterations occurred in clams in the spent stage (43.2%) and in autumn (18.4%) and winter (17.8%) in concordance with the normal reproductive rest period, whereas at Santa Rosalía a higher prevalence occurred in clams at the ripe stage (76.9%) and in spring (83.7%). In conclusion, our results showed the deteriorated health condition of gonads in M. squalida from the Santa Rosalía mining port, which suggests there is a relationship with chronic exposure to local high levels of heavy metals. The high prevalence and intensity of histopathological alterations in the gonad suggest a strong adverse effect on gametogenesis, gamete quality, and, ultimately, in the reproductive potential of M. squalida at this site.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85046102974&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/aah.10015
DO - 10.1002/aah.10015
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 29710385
SN - 0899-7659
VL - 30
SP - 144
EP - 154
JO - Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
JF - Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
IS - 2
ER -