# Alterations in the Gill Filaments and Secondary Lamellae ofCirrhinus mrigala Exposed to “Nuvan,” an Organophosphorus Insecticide

Authors: Nidhi Srivastava; Usha Kumari; Amita Kumari Rai; Swati Mittal; Ajay Kumar Mittal
Journal: Journal of Histology
 (2014)

---

## Abstract

The alterations in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of the gills ofCirrhinus mrigala, on exposure to “Nuvan,” have been explored in the present investigation using light and scanning electron microscopy. The fishes were exposed to two sublethal concentrations, 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L, of “Nuvan.” The changes are more rapid and intensive at higher concentration than at lower concentration, suggesting that the changes are dose dependent. Increase in thickness of epithelium covering secondary lamellae, merger of epithelium of gill filaments and adjacent secondary lamellae, and aneurysm is considered to reduce efficiency of gills for gaseous exchange. A significant decline in the density and area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of C. mrigala exposed to “Nuvan” could be correlated with excessive loss of the secretory contents of these cells, uncompensated by their production in sufficient quantities. The histopathological changes, in general, take longer time to recover in the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L than those exposed to 5 mg/L indicating that the changes in fishes exposed to higher concentration are more severe than those at lower concentration of the insecticide.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The use of chemical insecticides is fairly recognized as a cost effective method of controlling the pests and parasites in agriculture and aquaculture practices, but these chemicals are highly toxic to other species in the environment. They produce adverse effects on nontarget aquatic organisms living in areas near agricultural fields [1]. Pesticides often end up in aquatic habitats carried up by wind, rain water, or through uncontrolled waste disposal. Being biodegradable and of short persistence in environment, organophosphorus insecticides are extensively used for the control of pests in agricultural fields, and, therefore, large quantities of these insecticides reach the water bodies [2]. “Nuvan,” an organophosphorus insecticide, is released on surface water as it is a commonly used chemotherapeutant in fish farming to eradicate crustacean ectoparasites [3–7] and to treat culture ponds for the eradication of freshwater fish predators prior to the stocking of spawn—fry, fingerlings, or juveniles of carps [8–10].In fish, gills are the main site of gaseous exchange [11–15]. In addition, they are involved in osmoregulation [16–19], acid base balance [20–23], and excretion of nitrogenous compounds [24–26]. The complexity and constant contact with the surrounding water make the gill the first target to waterborne pollutants [27]. Several studies have been made in the past on the histological organization and physiology of gills in a variety of fish species under control conditions. Important reviews on the structure of gills in relation to their respiratory function of fish species that have appeared in the literature include those of Hughes (1984) [28], Laurent and Perry (1995) [29], Wilson and Laurent (2002) [30], and Evans et al. (2005) [31]. More recently, Cinar et al. (2009) [15] reported the histology of the gills of the fishPseudophoxinus antalyae and Tano de la Hoz et al. (2014) [32] reported the surface ultrastructure of the gills ofOdontesthes argentinensis.According to Mallatt (1985) [33], gills are the primary sites of toxic action of many waterborne pollutants and the gill lamellae serve as an interface for ion and gas exchange between the blood and the external medium. Studies on the alterations in the gills of fish, induced by organophosphorus insecticides, are very few. These include reports in the gills of fish speciesLepomis macrochirus exposed to malathion [34];Gambusia affinisexposed to malathion [35];Corydoras paleatusexposed to “Folidol 600,” a commercial formulation ofmethyl parathion, [36];Metynnis rooseveltiexposed to methyl parathion [37]; andCirrhinus mrigalaexposed to chlorpyrifos [38]. Nevertheless, studies on the gills of fish, exposed to “Nuvan,” an organophosphorus insecticide, have not attracted the attention of workers yet. In addition, a review of the literature reveals that the knowledge of the recovery pattern of histological organization in gills of fish exposed to organophosphate insecticides is still lacking. Therefore, the present study has been designed in order to compare the short-term toxic effect of the insecticide at a lower concentration as well as at higher concentration under controlled laboratory condition. This study may unravel the histopathological as well as the ultrastructural alterations in the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae ofC. mrigala exposed to “Nuvan” and assess the recovery pattern of its histological organization using light and scanning electron microscopy.Cirrhinus mrigala [39] (family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes, taxonomic serial number 163679, retrieved from Integrated Taxonomy Information System, 2008) [40] (common name—mrigal; local name in Hindi—Nain) is an active, herbivorous bottom feeder, extensively cultured in ponds by fish farmers, and constitutes one of the major groups of species preferred for composite fish culture in India.


## 2. Materials and Methods

Live specimens of the fishCirrhinus mrigala (mean ± SD standard length, L
S  93
±
9 mm, and weight 12.63
±
3.05gm) were collected from local ponds at Varanasi. The fishes were kept at controlled room temperature (25
±
2°C) in glass aquaria containing water, aerated continuously and were acclimatized with the laboratory conditions for 15 days prior to the commencement of the experiments. The fishes were fed daily with algae and minced yolk of boiled egg, plankton, and commercial fish food, Tokyu brand baby pellets (M.C.T. Aquarium, Import and Export, Changwat Nakhon Pathom, Thailand). Water quality characteristics were determined following APHA, AWWA, and WPCF (1985) [41]. The quality parameters (mean ± SD) of water used for acclimation in controls and for the preparation of test solution were temperature, 25
±
1°C; dissolved oxygen, 7.43
±
0.06 mg/L; pH, 7.05
±
0.006; alkalinity, 288
±
11.5 ppm; and hardness, 170.67
±
1.16 mg/L as CaCO3.


### 2.1.  “Nuvan”

The commercial formulation “Nuvan” (Syngenta India Ltd.) was used for the study. It is an organophosphorus emulsifiable concentrate containing dichlorvos (76.0% w/w) as the active ingredient. The inert ingredients include emulsifier (10.6% w/w) and solvent (13.4% w/w). The stock solution was prepared by dissolving “Nuvan” (100 mg/L) in water and subsequently diluting to final test concentrations.


### 2.2. Test Concentrations of “Nuvan”

The fishes were exposed to the sublethal test concentrations of “Nuvan” using 24 h renewal bioassay method [41]. The test concentrations of “Nuvan” were selected in order to understand and to compare the short-term toxic effect of the insecticide at a lower concentration 5 mg/L (i.e., 25% 96 h LC50 value) and at higher concentration 15 mg/L (i.e., 75% 96 h LC50 value). The doses were selected randomly based on the survivability response of the fish.Fishes exposed to the insecticide (experimental fishes) as well as those without being exposed (control fishes) for different intervals, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 1 day (d), 2 d, 3 d, and 4 d, were cold-anesthetized following Mittal and Whitear (1978) [42]. The fishes were kept in water at room temperature (25
±
2°C); crushed ice was added to the water gradually, at such a rate that the temperature fell a few degrees every few minutes. At 10
±
1°C the fishes became immobile and unresponsive to touching or pricking and the fishes were taken out of water without struggle to excise the gills. The fishes were euthanized after sampling. Second pair of gill arches was selected for this study.


### 2.3. Light Microscopy

At each interval, pieces of these gill arches, from the experimental and control fishes, were excised, rinsed in physiological saline, and then fixed in Aqueous Bouin’s fluid [41]. Another group of the fishes exposed to the test concentrations of the insecticide for 96 h were transferred to freshwater for recovery. These fishes were cold-anesthetized at different intervals of recovery—2 days of recovery (2 dr), 4 dr, 6 dr, 8 dr, 12 dr, and 16 dr. Pieces of the gills from control as well as experimental fishes were then excised, rinsed in physiological saline, and fixed in Aqueous Bouin’s fluid [43]. The tissues were then dehydrated in an ethanol series of ascending concentration, cleared in cedar wood oil, and embedded in paraffin wax (melting point 58–60°C) (E-Merck, India). Serial sections were cut at a thickness of 6 μm using a Leica Rotary Microtome (Model RM 2125RT, Leica Mikrosysteme Vertrieb GmbH-DSA, Germany). The sections were mounted on ethanol-cleaned glass slides and were kept in an oven at 37°C overnight to dry. Sections were deparaffinized in xylene, hydrated in a descending ethanol series, and stained with Ehrlich’s haematoxylin and eosin (H/E) [44]. The stained sections were dehydrated in an ascending ethanol series, cleared in xylene, and mounted in DPX (Distrene dibutylphalate xylene). Observations were made on a Leitz “Laborlux S” microscope (Ernst Leitz GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). The results were recorded using a digital camera system Leica DFC 290 (Leica Microsystems Ltd., Germany) on an Intel Pentium D computer (Model dx2280 MT, Hp Compaq, USA).


### 2.4. Scanning Electron Microscopy

Excised pieces of the gill arch were rinsed in physiological saline, dipped briefly in 0.1% solution of S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine to remove mucus [45], and fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, at pH 7.4 for 4 h at 4°C. Following fixation, the tissues were washed in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.4) and dehydrated at 4°C with graded ethyl alcohol in ascending concentrations. The tissues were then treated with ethyl alcohol and acetone in the ratios 3 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 3, anhydrous acetone, and dried using a Critical Point Dryer (E3000 series, Quorum Technologies Ltd., UK) with liquid carbon dioxide as the transitional fluid. Critical point-dried tissues, glued to the stubs, were coated with gold using a Sputter Coater (SC7620, Quorum Technologies Ltd., UK) and examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope (EVO LS 10 Zeiss, Germany).


### 2.5. Statistical Analysis

The area and the density of the mucous goblet cells were measured in AB2.5/PAS (histochemical method for the localization of glycoproteins) stained tissue sections, in which these cells are clearly delineated. Leica Qwin3, an advanced image processing and analysis software (Leica Microsystems, Germany), was used for the measurement of the thickness of the epithelium and the area of different cell types. A combination of a stage micrometer (object micrometer) with scale graduated in units of 1/100 (1 division = 0.01 mm) and an eyepiece graticule (ocular micrometer) with a square grid (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) was used for the measurement of the density of different cell types. The thickness of the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae was measured in H/E stained cross-sections of the tissues. The statistics was based on the data obtained from ten random microscopic fields for each set of the experiment. Data obtained from three independent sets of experiment were pooled to estimate mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) using Microsoft Excel 2007 on an Intel Core 2Duo computer (Model Vostro 1400, Dell, USA).Statistical comparisons were made between data obtained from control and experimental fish using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett post hoc test, through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows (standard version 11.5) software.P
<
0.05 were accepted as levels of statistical significance.


## 2.1.  “Nuvan”

The commercial formulation “Nuvan” (Syngenta India Ltd.) was used for the study. It is an organophosphorus emulsifiable concentrate containing dichlorvos (76.0% w/w) as the active ingredient. The inert ingredients include emulsifier (10.6% w/w) and solvent (13.4% w/w). The stock solution was prepared by dissolving “Nuvan” (100 mg/L) in water and subsequently diluting to final test concentrations.


## 2.2. Test Concentrations of “Nuvan”

The fishes were exposed to the sublethal test concentrations of “Nuvan” using 24 h renewal bioassay method [41]. The test concentrations of “Nuvan” were selected in order to understand and to compare the short-term toxic effect of the insecticide at a lower concentration 5 mg/L (i.e., 25% 96 h LC50 value) and at higher concentration 15 mg/L (i.e., 75% 96 h LC50 value). The doses were selected randomly based on the survivability response of the fish.Fishes exposed to the insecticide (experimental fishes) as well as those without being exposed (control fishes) for different intervals, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 1 day (d), 2 d, 3 d, and 4 d, were cold-anesthetized following Mittal and Whitear (1978) [42]. The fishes were kept in water at room temperature (25
±
2°C); crushed ice was added to the water gradually, at such a rate that the temperature fell a few degrees every few minutes. At 10
±
1°C the fishes became immobile and unresponsive to touching or pricking and the fishes were taken out of water without struggle to excise the gills. The fishes were euthanized after sampling. Second pair of gill arches was selected for this study.


## 2.3. Light Microscopy

At each interval, pieces of these gill arches, from the experimental and control fishes, were excised, rinsed in physiological saline, and then fixed in Aqueous Bouin’s fluid [41]. Another group of the fishes exposed to the test concentrations of the insecticide for 96 h were transferred to freshwater for recovery. These fishes were cold-anesthetized at different intervals of recovery—2 days of recovery (2 dr), 4 dr, 6 dr, 8 dr, 12 dr, and 16 dr. Pieces of the gills from control as well as experimental fishes were then excised, rinsed in physiological saline, and fixed in Aqueous Bouin’s fluid [43]. The tissues were then dehydrated in an ethanol series of ascending concentration, cleared in cedar wood oil, and embedded in paraffin wax (melting point 58–60°C) (E-Merck, India). Serial sections were cut at a thickness of 6 μm using a Leica Rotary Microtome (Model RM 2125RT, Leica Mikrosysteme Vertrieb GmbH-DSA, Germany). The sections were mounted on ethanol-cleaned glass slides and were kept in an oven at 37°C overnight to dry. Sections were deparaffinized in xylene, hydrated in a descending ethanol series, and stained with Ehrlich’s haematoxylin and eosin (H/E) [44]. The stained sections were dehydrated in an ascending ethanol series, cleared in xylene, and mounted in DPX (Distrene dibutylphalate xylene). Observations were made on a Leitz “Laborlux S” microscope (Ernst Leitz GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). The results were recorded using a digital camera system Leica DFC 290 (Leica Microsystems Ltd., Germany) on an Intel Pentium D computer (Model dx2280 MT, Hp Compaq, USA).


## 2.4. Scanning Electron Microscopy

Excised pieces of the gill arch were rinsed in physiological saline, dipped briefly in 0.1% solution of S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine to remove mucus [45], and fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, at pH 7.4 for 4 h at 4°C. Following fixation, the tissues were washed in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.4) and dehydrated at 4°C with graded ethyl alcohol in ascending concentrations. The tissues were then treated with ethyl alcohol and acetone in the ratios 3 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 3, anhydrous acetone, and dried using a Critical Point Dryer (E3000 series, Quorum Technologies Ltd., UK) with liquid carbon dioxide as the transitional fluid. Critical point-dried tissues, glued to the stubs, were coated with gold using a Sputter Coater (SC7620, Quorum Technologies Ltd., UK) and examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope (EVO LS 10 Zeiss, Germany).


## 2.5. Statistical Analysis

The area and the density of the mucous goblet cells were measured in AB2.5/PAS (histochemical method for the localization of glycoproteins) stained tissue sections, in which these cells are clearly delineated. Leica Qwin3, an advanced image processing and analysis software (Leica Microsystems, Germany), was used for the measurement of the thickness of the epithelium and the area of different cell types. A combination of a stage micrometer (object micrometer) with scale graduated in units of 1/100 (1 division = 0.01 mm) and an eyepiece graticule (ocular micrometer) with a square grid (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) was used for the measurement of the density of different cell types. The thickness of the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae was measured in H/E stained cross-sections of the tissues. The statistics was based on the data obtained from ten random microscopic fields for each set of the experiment. Data obtained from three independent sets of experiment were pooled to estimate mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) using Microsoft Excel 2007 on an Intel Core 2Duo computer (Model Vostro 1400, Dell, USA).Statistical comparisons were made between data obtained from control and experimental fish using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett post hoc test, through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows (standard version 11.5) software.P
<
0.05 were accepted as levels of statistical significance.


## 3. Results

InCirrhinus mrigala, the surfaces of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae are covered with a mosaic pavement of irregularly polygonal epithelial cells of varied dimensions. The free surfaces of these cells are characterized by the presence of a series of microridges (Figure 1(a)).Scanning electron micrograph of the gill filament and secondary lamellae ofC. mrigala under control conditions (a) and exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” (f, h). Photomicrographs of cross-sections of gills ofC. mrigala under control conditions (H/E) (b) and exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” (c, d, e, and g). (a) A part of the gill filament (arrows) showing arrangement of the secondary lamellae (barred arrows). Note the boundary of the adjacent epithelial cells is demarcated by microridges (arrow heads). Scale bar = 10 μm. (b) In gill filament epithelium, superficial layer epithelial cells are wedge shaped in gill filament epithelium (arrow), flattened in secondary lamellae epithelium (barred arrows), and the cores of secondary lamellae consist of pillar cells (winged arrows) in between blood spaces (arrow heads) having blood cells. Scale bar = 10 μm. (c) Epithelial cell membranes at free surfaces appear eroded (arrows). Note enlarged blood spaces (arrow heads) between pillar cells (winged arrows) (4 h). Scale bar = 20 μm. (d) Epithelium of gill filament is merged with epithelium of secondary lamellae (asterisks). Epithelium shows oedema and appears detached from the underlying cores of blood spaces and pillar cell (arrows). Sheets of epithelial cells exfoliated at the surface are discernible (arrow heads) (12 h). Scale bar = 20 μm. (e) Epithelium of gill filament merges with epithelium of several secondary lamellae forming an islet of interlamellar cell mass (asterisk). Note at intervals blood spaces between pillar cells appear disrupted and are located with difficulty (arrows) (1 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (f) Adjacent secondary lamellae appear fused due to the formation of interlamellar cell mass (asterisk) (1 d). Scale bar = 10 μm. (g) An islet of interlamellar cell mass (barred arrow). Blood spaces between pillar cells in the core of the secondary lamellae appear disrupted resulting in aneurysm (asterisk). Note oedema and detachment of epithelium of secondary lamellae (arrows) and exfoliated cells at the surface (arrow heads) (2 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (h) Uplifting and detachment of the epithelium of secondary lamellae (arrows) (2 d). Scale bar = 10 μm.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)The main cellular components of the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae consist of the epithelial cells and the mucous goblet cells. In addition, the eosinophilic granular cells are discernible at intermittent intervals in the epithelium of the gill filaments. The epithelium covering the secondary lamellae, in general, is represented by a superficial layer and a basal layer lying on a thin noncellular basement membrane. The central core of the secondary lamellae consists of blood spaces, separated at regular intervals, by a series of pillar cells (Figure1(b)). In control fish, the thickness of the epithelium covering the gill filaments is 14.79
±
5.29 μm and is 3.15
±
0.87 μm on the secondary lamellae (Table 1).Table 1
Thickness of the epithelium, density, and area of mucous goblet cells covering different regions of the gills inCirrhinus mrigala kept in control.
Regions
Thickness (µm)
Mucous goblet cells
Density (number/mm2)
Area (µm2)
Gill filaments
14.79 ± 5.29
1600 ± 160
14.94 ± 3.09
Secondary lamellae
3.15 ± 0.87
320 ± 80
13.10 ± 1.35
Values = mean ± SD;N = 3 fishes.


### 3.1. Epithelial Cells

The epithelial cells in the epithelium covering the gill filaments, in general, appear wedge shaped in the superficial layer, polygonal in the middle layer, and low columnar, cuboidal, or flattened in the basal layer (Figure1(b)). The epithelial cells in the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae, in general, are vertically flattened and have centrally placed flattened nuclei (Figure 1(b)).In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan,” the epithelial cells in the superficial layer and the underlying layers of the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, at 4 h, compared to those of the controls, get hypertrophied and swollen. In the epithelium of the secondary lamellae the free surface of the superficial layer epithelial cells, in general, gets eroded (Figure1(c)). At 8 h and 12 h, in general, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae merges, and at 12 h, in addition, epithelial cells either isolated or in sheets could be observed exfoliated at the surface (Figure 1(d)). The epithelium shows oedema and appears detached from the underlying cores of blood spaces and pillar cells (Figure 1(d)). At 1 d, the epithelium shows oedema at frequent intervals and appears detached from the underlying tissues. Further, at intermittent intervals, small islets are observed showing that the epithelium of gill filament is fused with the epithelium of several secondary lamellae (Figures 1(e) and 1(f)). At 2 d, the epithelium of the gill filaments merges with the epithelium covering major portion of the secondary lamellae. At infrequent intervals, the core of the secondary lamellae collapses; blood spaces appear ruptured resulting in the accumulation of the blood cells, which could be termed as the aneurysm (Figure 1(g)). In addition to these changes, the epithelium of the secondary lamellae frequently shows oedema and appears detached from the underlying tissues including blood spaces and pillar cells which constitutes the core of the secondary lamellae (Figures 1(g) and 1(h)). At 3 d and 4 d, in general, the changes in the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appear similar to those observed on 2 d. Nevertheless, oedema and detachment of the epithelium of the secondary lamellae are more pronounced and the aneurysm is frequently observed.In contrast, the effect on the epithelial cells of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae in the fishes exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan” are delayed. The superficial layer epithelial cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae and the gill filaments, at 8 h to 1 d, often appear hypertrophied and swollen. The free surfaces of these cells are frequently observed rounded and bulged at the surface (Figures2(a) and 2(b)). In addition, epithelial cells are occasionally observed exfoliated at the surface. At 1 d, the superficial layer epithelial cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae often appear highly hypertrophied and swollen. The free surfaces of these cells are frequently observed rounded and bulged at the surface (Figures 2(c) and 2(d)). At infrequent intervals, the adjacent secondary lamellae come close to each other and the epithelium at their apical ends appears fused with each other (Figure 2(c)). At 2 d, the epithelium of gill filament merges with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae. At 3 d and 4 d, the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae, at intervals, shows oedematous swellings and appears detached from the underlying tissues (Figures 2(e) and 2(f)). Further, the epithelium of the gill filament merges to a great extent with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae and the apical ends of the adjacent secondary lamellae appear fused (Figure 2(f)).Photomicrographs of cross-sections (H/E) (a, c, and e) and scanning electron micrographs (b, d, and f) of gills ofC. mrigala exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan.” (a) Epithelium of gill filament (arrows) and secondary lamellae (barred arrows) increase in thickness due to hypertrophy of the epithelial cells. Note enlarged blood spaces (arrow heads) between pillar cells (winged arrows) (12 h). Scale bar = 20 μm. (b) The free surfaces of the epithelial cells appear rounded and bulged at the surface (barred arrows). (12 h) Scale bar = 10 μm. (c) Apical ends of adjacent secondary lamellae appear fused (arrow). Epithelial cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and secondary lamellae are greatly hypertrophied and appear bulging (barred arrows) at the surface (1 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (d) Epithelial cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and secondary lamellae appear bulged (barred arrows) at the surface (1 d). Scale bar = 10 μm. (e) Oedematous swellings in the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae (arrow heads) (3 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (f) Uplifting and detachment of the epithelium of secondary lamellae (arrows). Note the fusion of the apical end of several adjacent secondary lamellae (asterisk) (3 d). Scale bar = 10 μm.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” for 4 d and then on their transfer to freshwater, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae shows a relatively slow recovery than that in the fishes transferred to freshwater after their exposure to 5 mg/L of the insecticide. At 2 dr, the epithelium of the gill filaments, which get merged with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae at 4 d of exposure to the insecticide, appears retracted. Further, the epithelial cells in the different layers of the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, in general, appear less hypertrophied. In the secondary lamellae, the detachment of the epithelium from the underlying tissues is less prominent than that at 4 d of exposure (Figures3(a) and 3(b)). Further, the epithelial cells exfoliated at the surface are less frequently observed. At subsequent durations, hypertrophy of the epithelial cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, detachment of the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, and exfoliation of the epithelial cells show a gradual decrease and by 8 dr the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appears similar to that of the controls (Figure 3(c)). At 5 mg/L, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appears similar to that of the controls at 4 dr (Figure 3(d)).Photomicrographs of cross-sections of gills ofC. mrigala exposed of “Nuvan” for 4 d and then transferred to freshwater for recovery to 15 mg/L (a–c) and to 5 mg/L (d) (H/E). Scale bar = 20 μm. (a) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrow heads) and gill filament (arrows) appear hypertrophied. Major portion of secondary lamellae is not merged with the epithelium of gill filament. Note secondary lamellae appear thick (2 dr). (b) Similar as (a). Epithelium of secondary lamellae at intervals appears detached from the underlying tissues (arrows) (2 dr). (c) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrows) and gill filament (barred arrows) do not appear hypertrophied. Note secondary lamellae appear slender (6 dr). (d) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrows) and gill filament (barred arrows) do not appear hypertrophied. Note secondary lamellae appear slender, similar to those of the controls (4 dr).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


### 3.2. Thickness of the Epithelium

In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” for different intervals, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae in contrast to those exposed to 5 mg/L, show a sharp increase in their thickness. At these regions, the increase in thickness of the epithelia at different intervals of exposure (4 h–4 d), compared to that of the controls, is statistically significant (Figures4(a) and 4(b)). In contrast, in the fishes exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan” for different intervals, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, in general, show an increase in its thickness which is statistically insignificant up to 1 d of exposure and thereafter during 2 d–4 d of exposure the epithelium shows a further increase in thickness and is statistically significant (Figures 4(a) and 4(b)).(a) Average thickness of gill filament epithelium (μm; mean ± SD) ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on bars indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (b) Average thickness of secondary lamellae epithelium (μm; mean ± SD) ofC. mrigala at different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on bars indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3.
(a)
(b)The epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae at 2 dr show a decline in their thickness compared to those observed during exposure to “Nuvan” for 2 d–4 d (Figures4(a) and 4(b)) and appear insignificant. At subsequent durations of recovery, that is, 4 dr to 16 dr, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of the fishes show a further decline in their thickness and appear similar to that of controls (Figures 4(a) and 4(b)).


### 3.3. Mucous Goblet Cells

The mucous goblet cells in the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae are rounded or goblet shaped, often confined in the outer layers. However, in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, these cells could be observed infrequently. Further, the area of each such cell is similar to that in the gill filament epithelium (Table1).The mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of the fishes exposed to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L as well as 5 mg/L secrete profusely at the surface and show a significant decline in their density at different intervals from 4 h to 4 d (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). In the fish exposed to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments compared to that of the controls shows insignificant changes at intervals 4 h to 3 d. However, a significant decrease is observed at 4 d (Figure 5(c)). In the fish exposed to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments, compared to that of controls, decreases significantly at 4 h–12 h and shows insignificant changes at 1 d–3 d. A significant decrease is observed again at 4 d (Figure 5(c)). At both concentrations, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae decreases significantly at different intervals from 4 h to 4 d (Figure 5(d)).(a) Density of mucous goblet cells (number/mm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the gill filaments ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (b) Density of mucous goblet cells (number/mm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (c) Area of mucous goblet cells (μm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the gill filaments ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (d) Area of mucous goblet cells (μm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)In the fishes kept for recovery after exposure to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L, the density of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, compared to that of controls, does not recover and remains significantly decreased at different intervals from 2 dr to 16 dr (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). The density of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments of the fishes transferred to freshwater, after their exposure to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L for 4 d, compared to that of controls, recovers and shows insignificant changes within narrow range at 2 dr to 16 dr (Figure 5(a)). In the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, the density of the mucous goblet cells, compared to that of controls, does not recover and remains significantly decreased at different intervals from 2 dr to 16 dr (Figure 5(b)). In the fishes exposed to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L or 15 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells, compared to that of controls, remains significantly decreased at 2 dr in the epithelium of the gill filaments (Figure 5(c)) and up to 4 dr in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae (Figure 5(d)). In both regions, it then recovers and shows insignificant changes at different intervals up to 16 dr.


## 3.1. Epithelial Cells

The epithelial cells in the epithelium covering the gill filaments, in general, appear wedge shaped in the superficial layer, polygonal in the middle layer, and low columnar, cuboidal, or flattened in the basal layer (Figure1(b)). The epithelial cells in the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae, in general, are vertically flattened and have centrally placed flattened nuclei (Figure 1(b)).In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan,” the epithelial cells in the superficial layer and the underlying layers of the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, at 4 h, compared to those of the controls, get hypertrophied and swollen. In the epithelium of the secondary lamellae the free surface of the superficial layer epithelial cells, in general, gets eroded (Figure1(c)). At 8 h and 12 h, in general, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae merges, and at 12 h, in addition, epithelial cells either isolated or in sheets could be observed exfoliated at the surface (Figure 1(d)). The epithelium shows oedema and appears detached from the underlying cores of blood spaces and pillar cells (Figure 1(d)). At 1 d, the epithelium shows oedema at frequent intervals and appears detached from the underlying tissues. Further, at intermittent intervals, small islets are observed showing that the epithelium of gill filament is fused with the epithelium of several secondary lamellae (Figures 1(e) and 1(f)). At 2 d, the epithelium of the gill filaments merges with the epithelium covering major portion of the secondary lamellae. At infrequent intervals, the core of the secondary lamellae collapses; blood spaces appear ruptured resulting in the accumulation of the blood cells, which could be termed as the aneurysm (Figure 1(g)). In addition to these changes, the epithelium of the secondary lamellae frequently shows oedema and appears detached from the underlying tissues including blood spaces and pillar cells which constitutes the core of the secondary lamellae (Figures 1(g) and 1(h)). At 3 d and 4 d, in general, the changes in the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appear similar to those observed on 2 d. Nevertheless, oedema and detachment of the epithelium of the secondary lamellae are more pronounced and the aneurysm is frequently observed.In contrast, the effect on the epithelial cells of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae in the fishes exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan” are delayed. The superficial layer epithelial cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae and the gill filaments, at 8 h to 1 d, often appear hypertrophied and swollen. The free surfaces of these cells are frequently observed rounded and bulged at the surface (Figures2(a) and 2(b)). In addition, epithelial cells are occasionally observed exfoliated at the surface. At 1 d, the superficial layer epithelial cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae often appear highly hypertrophied and swollen. The free surfaces of these cells are frequently observed rounded and bulged at the surface (Figures 2(c) and 2(d)). At infrequent intervals, the adjacent secondary lamellae come close to each other and the epithelium at their apical ends appears fused with each other (Figure 2(c)). At 2 d, the epithelium of gill filament merges with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae. At 3 d and 4 d, the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae, at intervals, shows oedematous swellings and appears detached from the underlying tissues (Figures 2(e) and 2(f)). Further, the epithelium of the gill filament merges to a great extent with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae and the apical ends of the adjacent secondary lamellae appear fused (Figure 2(f)).Photomicrographs of cross-sections (H/E) (a, c, and e) and scanning electron micrographs (b, d, and f) of gills ofC. mrigala exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan.” (a) Epithelium of gill filament (arrows) and secondary lamellae (barred arrows) increase in thickness due to hypertrophy of the epithelial cells. Note enlarged blood spaces (arrow heads) between pillar cells (winged arrows) (12 h). Scale bar = 20 μm. (b) The free surfaces of the epithelial cells appear rounded and bulged at the surface (barred arrows). (12 h) Scale bar = 10 μm. (c) Apical ends of adjacent secondary lamellae appear fused (arrow). Epithelial cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and secondary lamellae are greatly hypertrophied and appear bulging (barred arrows) at the surface (1 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (d) Epithelial cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and secondary lamellae appear bulged (barred arrows) at the surface (1 d). Scale bar = 10 μm. (e) Oedematous swellings in the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae (arrow heads) (3 d). Scale bar = 20 μm. (f) Uplifting and detachment of the epithelium of secondary lamellae (arrows). Note the fusion of the apical end of several adjacent secondary lamellae (asterisk) (3 d). Scale bar = 10 μm.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” for 4 d and then on their transfer to freshwater, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae shows a relatively slow recovery than that in the fishes transferred to freshwater after their exposure to 5 mg/L of the insecticide. At 2 dr, the epithelium of the gill filaments, which get merged with the epithelium of the secondary lamellae at 4 d of exposure to the insecticide, appears retracted. Further, the epithelial cells in the different layers of the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, in general, appear less hypertrophied. In the secondary lamellae, the detachment of the epithelium from the underlying tissues is less prominent than that at 4 d of exposure (Figures3(a) and 3(b)). Further, the epithelial cells exfoliated at the surface are less frequently observed. At subsequent durations, hypertrophy of the epithelial cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, detachment of the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, and exfoliation of the epithelial cells show a gradual decrease and by 8 dr the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appears similar to that of the controls (Figure 3(c)). At 5 mg/L, the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae appears similar to that of the controls at 4 dr (Figure 3(d)).Photomicrographs of cross-sections of gills ofC. mrigala exposed of “Nuvan” for 4 d and then transferred to freshwater for recovery to 15 mg/L (a–c) and to 5 mg/L (d) (H/E). Scale bar = 20 μm. (a) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrow heads) and gill filament (arrows) appear hypertrophied. Major portion of secondary lamellae is not merged with the epithelium of gill filament. Note secondary lamellae appear thick (2 dr). (b) Similar as (a). Epithelium of secondary lamellae at intervals appears detached from the underlying tissues (arrows) (2 dr). (c) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrows) and gill filament (barred arrows) do not appear hypertrophied. Note secondary lamellae appear slender (6 dr). (d) Epithelial cells of the epithelia of secondary lamellae (arrows) and gill filament (barred arrows) do not appear hypertrophied. Note secondary lamellae appear slender, similar to those of the controls (4 dr).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


## 3.2. Thickness of the Epithelium

In the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L of “Nuvan” for different intervals, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae in contrast to those exposed to 5 mg/L, show a sharp increase in their thickness. At these regions, the increase in thickness of the epithelia at different intervals of exposure (4 h–4 d), compared to that of the controls, is statistically significant (Figures4(a) and 4(b)). In contrast, in the fishes exposed to 5 mg/L of “Nuvan” for different intervals, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, in general, show an increase in its thickness which is statistically insignificant up to 1 d of exposure and thereafter during 2 d–4 d of exposure the epithelium shows a further increase in thickness and is statistically significant (Figures 4(a) and 4(b)).(a) Average thickness of gill filament epithelium (μm; mean ± SD) ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on bars indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (b) Average thickness of secondary lamellae epithelium (μm; mean ± SD) ofC. mrigala at different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on bars indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3.
(a)
(b)The epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae at 2 dr show a decline in their thickness compared to those observed during exposure to “Nuvan” for 2 d–4 d (Figures4(a) and 4(b)) and appear insignificant. At subsequent durations of recovery, that is, 4 dr to 16 dr, the epithelia covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of the fishes show a further decline in their thickness and appear similar to that of controls (Figures 4(a) and 4(b)).


## 3.3. Mucous Goblet Cells

The mucous goblet cells in the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae are rounded or goblet shaped, often confined in the outer layers. However, in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, these cells could be observed infrequently. Further, the area of each such cell is similar to that in the gill filament epithelium (Table1).The mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of gill filaments and the secondary lamellae of the fishes exposed to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L as well as 5 mg/L secrete profusely at the surface and show a significant decline in their density at different intervals from 4 h to 4 d (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). In the fish exposed to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments compared to that of the controls shows insignificant changes at intervals 4 h to 3 d. However, a significant decrease is observed at 4 d (Figure 5(c)). In the fish exposed to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments, compared to that of controls, decreases significantly at 4 h–12 h and shows insignificant changes at 1 d–3 d. A significant decrease is observed again at 4 d (Figure 5(c)). At both concentrations, the area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae decreases significantly at different intervals from 4 h to 4 d (Figure 5(d)).(a) Density of mucous goblet cells (number/mm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the gill filaments ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (b) Density of mucous goblet cells (number/mm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (c) Area of mucous goblet cells (μm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the gill filaments ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3. (d) Area of mucous goblet cells (μm2; mean ± SD) in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae ofC. mrigalaat different intervals. 0 h: prior to exposure to “Nuvan”; 4 h–4 d: intervals of exposure to 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of “Nuvan”; 2 dr–16 dr: intervals of recovery after 4 d exposure to “Nuvan.” h: hour; d: day; dr: day of recovery; mg/L: milligram/liter; and asterisks “*” on points indicate significant difference from control (P
<
0.05). n
=
3.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)In the fishes kept for recovery after exposure to “Nuvan” at 15 mg/L, the density of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae, compared to that of controls, does not recover and remains significantly decreased at different intervals from 2 dr to 16 dr (Figures5(a) and 5(b)). The density of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments of the fishes transferred to freshwater, after their exposure to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L for 4 d, compared to that of controls, recovers and shows insignificant changes within narrow range at 2 dr to 16 dr (Figure 5(a)). In the epithelium of the secondary lamellae, the density of the mucous goblet cells, compared to that of controls, does not recover and remains significantly decreased at different intervals from 2 dr to 16 dr (Figure 5(b)). In the fishes exposed to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L or 15 mg/L, the area of the mucous goblet cells, compared to that of controls, remains significantly decreased at 2 dr in the epithelium of the gill filaments (Figure 5(c)) and up to 4 dr in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae (Figure 5(d)). In both regions, it then recovers and shows insignificant changes at different intervals up to 16 dr.


## 4. Discussion

The present investigation shows significant changes in the histopathological organization in the gills ofCirrhinus mrigala,exposed to different concentrations of the organophosphate insecticide “Nuvan” for different durations. In general, the alterations are more rapid and intensive at higher concentrations than at lower concentrations, suggesting that the changes are dose dependent.InCirrhinus mrigalaexposed to “Nuvan,” the exfoliation of the epithelial cells at the surface of the secondary lamellae at intermittent intervals suggests that the superficial layer epithelial cells, as a reaction to the treatment, undergo irreversible degenerative changes, terminating in cell death and exfoliation. A significant increase in the thickness of the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae and merger of the epithelium covering the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae could be a result of oedematous swellings and hypertrophy of the epithelial cells. This may increase the respiratory gaseous diffusion distance between water surrounding the gills and blood in blood spaces between pillar cells of the secondary lamellae resulting in a decrease of the efficiency of the exchange of respiratory gases as suggested by Hughes (1966) [11]. Van den Heuvel et al. (2000) [46] suggested that the exposure to chemicals may damage the gills and may result in the “leakage” of physiologically important ions out of the fish into the aqueous environment. The thickening of the epithelial layer probably represents an adaptation to overcome this leakage. Hypertrophy of the epithelial cells in different regions of the gills of the exposed fish could also be linked with the inability of the cell to maintain proper ionic balance, which may in turn cause an enhanced osmotic uptake of water by the cells [41]. Organic xenobiotics such as insecticides pass rapidly through the gills to enter the blood stream [47], which facilitates their distribution to the branchial cells and other organs [48]. In view of this, increase in thickness of the blood water barrier in the epithelium covering the secondary lamellae ofCirrhinus mrigala could also be considered to impede the diffusion of the insecticide from the surrounding water medium to the blood stream.InCirrhinus mrigala exposed to “Nuvan” at higher concentrations, appearance of aneurysm at an interval of 2 d and onward could cause the disruption/reduction in gaseous exchange capability and consequently weakening of the fishes. This corroborates with the views of Rudnicki et al. (2009) [49] who reported aneurysm in secondary lamellae of the gills ofPiaractus mesopotamicus exposed to Azodrin 400, an organophosphate. Machado and Fanta (2003) [37], in the gills ofMetynnis roosevelti exposed to methyl parathion, an organophosphate, reported the collapse of the pillar cells followed by a loss of shape of the erythrocytes that can be considered to indicate osmotic and ionic alterations.A significant decline in the density and area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments and the secondary lamellae ofCirrhinus mrigala exposed to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L at different intervals could be correlated with profuse mucous secretion at the surface as an immediate response to the insecticide. The mucous cells could be efficient in seizing the toxic agent and thus help in the prevention of the entrance of these agents into the gills [27]. Mallat (1985) [33] and Powell et al. (1992) [50] suggested that the mucous layer protects the lamellar surfaces against infectious agents, toxic agents, and particles in suspension. Apparently, rapid exhaustion of the mucous goblet cells, during exposure to “Nuvan” at 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L at different intervals, is not compensated by formation of new mucous goblet cells. Wendelaar Bonga (1997) [51] reported that, in gills, the hypersecretion of mucus is often followed by its depletion and the differentiation of new cells as part of a compensatory response to a variety of stressors, in both freshwater and seawater species.The histopathological changes in the epithelium of the gills such as thickness of the epithelium, merger of the epithelium, and aneurysm and exfoliation of the epithelial cells, in general, take longer time to recover in the fishes exposed to 15 mg/L than those exposed to 5 mg/L. This indicates that the changes in fishes exposed to higher concentration are more severe than those at lower concentration of the insecticide. Nevertheless, recovery of the epithelium of gills of fish, treated with “Nuvan,” on their transfer to freshwater suggests that histopathological reactions to the stress in the epithelium are defence responses in order to withstand the altered environment and to overcome the period of stress. More recently, Velmurugan et al. (2009) [52] also reported thatClarias gariepinus, treated with lower concentration (10.05 μg/L) of cypermethrin recovered from damages earlier than did their counterparts treated with higher concentrations (20.10 μg/L).The density and area of the mucous goblet cells in the epithelium of the gill filaments in the fish exposed to 5 mg/L of the insecticide recover gradually and by 4 dr appear similar to those of controls. In contrast, gradual increase in the density of the mucous goblet cells that, however, remains significantly lower than that of controls even up to 16 dr, in the epithelium of the gill filaments ofCirrhinus mrigala exposed to 15 mg/L and in the epithelium of the secondary lamellae of the fish exposed to both 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L of the insecticide suggests that the epithelium in these regions is severely influenced by the toxicity of the insecticide.In view of the data of the present study, it can be concluded that the histopathological changes in fishes exposed to 15 mg/L are more severe than those at 5 mg/L of the “Nuvan.” Further, the changes take longer time to recover in the fishes exposed to higher concentration than those exposed to lower concentration. All these results combined together provide new and valuable information and complement other results available in the literature.



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*Source: 190139-2014-10-27.xml*