Sublethal ammonia exposure of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.): effects on gill, liver and kidney histology

Chemosphere. 2008 Jul;72(9):1355-8. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.037. Epub 2008 Jun 2.

Abstract

The effects of exposures to sublethal ammonia concentrations on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) were determined with respect to histology. The experiments were conducted for six weeks and with four different ammonia concentrations (control, 1, 2, 5, 10 mg l(-1) TA-N). Fish exposed to different ammonia concentrations displayed histopathologic alterations in the gills, liver and kidney. Gill tissues displayed hyperemia, chloride cell proliferation, fusion in secondary lamella, telangiectasis. Liver tissue revealed cloudy swelling and hydropic degeneration, whereas in kidney tissues hyperemia and glomerulonephritis were observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / pharmacokinetics
  • Ammonia / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Cichlids / physiology*
  • Gills / drug effects
  • Gills / pathology*
  • Glomerulonephritis / chemically induced
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hyperemia / chemically induced
  • Hyperemia / pathology
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Ammonia