Histopathological Alterations in the Gonad of Megapitaria squalida (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Inhabiting a Heavy Metals Polluted Environment.

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.

Evaluation of kidney injury biomarkers in rat amniotic fluid after gestational exposure to cadmium.

Cadmium is a well-characterized nephrotoxic agent that is also capable of accumulating and diffusing across the placenta; however, only a few studies have addressed its effects over fetal kidneys and none of them has used a panel of sensitive and specific biomarkers for the detection of kidney injury. The goal of this study was to determine cadmium renal effects in rat fetuses by the quantification of early kidney injury biomarkers. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed by inhalation to an isotonic saline solution or to CdCl2 solution (DDel =1.48 mg Cd kg(-1) day(-1) ) during gestational days (GD) 8-20. On GD 21, dams were euthanized and samples obtained. Kidney injury biomarkers were quantified in amniotic fluid samples and fetal kidneys were microscopically evaluated to search for histological alterations. Our results showed that cadmium exposure significantly raised albumin, osteopontin, vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 levels in amniotic fluid, whereas it decreased creatinine. Clusterin, calbindin and IFN-inducible protein 10 did not show any change. Accordingly, histological findings showed tubular damage and precipitations in the renal pelvis. In conclusion, gestational exposure to cadmium induces structural alterations in fetal renal tissue that can be detected by some kidney injury biomarkers in amniotic fluid samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of Yerbimat herbicide on lipid peroxidation, catalase activity, and histological damage in gills and liver of the freshwater fish Goodea atripinnis.

The use of herbicides for agricultural and aquatic weed control has increased worldwide. These substances are potentially toxic pollutants because they induce the production of reactive oxygen species for biological systems and exert oxidative stress in nontarget organisms living in the treated aquatic systems. Recent evidence suggests differences in the toxicity of glyphosate in the form of an active ingredient compared to the toxicity of glyphosate in combination with surfactants, such as those found in commercial formulations. In Mexico, one of the most widely used glyphosate-based herbicides is Yerbimat, which has agricultural as well as aquatic weed control applications. However, there are no aquatic toxicity data, particularly regarding native fish. Therefore, we determined the acute toxicity of commercial-formulation Yerbimat in a static bioassay at 96 h (LC(50)). We also determined its toxicity at 96 h in sublethal concentrations to assess the lipid peroxidation levels (LPX), catalase activity, hepatic glycogen content, and histological damage in the liver and gills of the fish Goodea atripinnis associated with chronic exposure (75 days). The LC(50) was 38.95 ± 0.33 mg/L. The results of the short-term exposure study indicate that Yerbimat can potentially induce oxidative stress in G. atripinnis, because LPX was increased in the gills and liver. Catalase activity was reduced in the gills but increased in the liver, whereas hepatic glycogen was depleted. Chronic exposure was associated with histopathological damage in the gills and liver, some of which was irreversible. Yerbimat represents a potential risk for aquatic biota; therefore, we recommend that its application be carefully considered.

Ultraestructura del ovocito maduro y en reabsorción de Spondylus limbatus G. B. Sowerby II, 1847 (= S. calcifer ) (Bivalvia: Spondylidae) / Ultrastructure of the mature and in resorption oocytes of Spondylus limbatus G. B. Sowerby II, 1847 (= S. calcifer ) (Bivalvia: Spondylidae)

Spondylus limbatus es una especie bajo protección especial en México, de la que existe poca información biológica y nada sobre estudios histológicos o de ultraestructura del ovario. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar la morfología ultraestructural de los gametos femeninos maduros y en degeneración. La gónada femenina de S. limbatus en estado de madurez presentó ovocitos postvitelogénicos de 60-70 µm de diámetro, que presentan el aspecto característico de células metabólicamente activas y altamente sintetizadoras. La membrana citoplasmática posee especializaciones destinadas a aumentar la superficie de absorción de la célula, las microvellosidades; el citoplasma presenta numerosos sistemas membranosos relacionados con la síntesis de material de reserva y secreción; y el patrón de organización nuclear altamente lobulado, y por consiguiente con una gran superficie que asegura el intercambio núcleo-citoplasma, se incorpora de forma estructural al proceso de vitelogénesis. Finalmente, se describen los cambios ultraestructurales resultantes de la lisis de los ovocitos: colapso de las membranas nuclear y citoplásmica, y presencia de células hemocíticas macrófagas.

Spondylus limbatus is a species under special protection in Mexico, of which there is little or no information in the literature of biological, histological or ultrastructural studies of the ovary. The objective of this research was to characterize the ultrastructural morphology of mature and degenerating female gametes. The female gonad of S. limbatus in mature state presented post-vitellogenic oocytes 60-70 µm in diameter, which have characteristics of metabolically active and highly synthesizing cells. The cytoplasmic membrane has specializations designed to increase the absorption surface of the cell, the microvilli; the cytoplasm presents numerous membranous systems related to synthesis of reserve and secretion material as well as the highly lobed nuclear organization pattern; a large surface that ensures core-cytoplasm exchange, is structurally incorporated into the vitellogenesis process. Finally, ultrastructural changes resulting from the lysis of the oocytes are described: collapse of nuclear and cytoplasmic membranes, and the presence of macrophage hemocytic cells.

Biología Reproductiva de Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) de la Laguna de Tampamachoco, Túxpam-Veracruz / Reproductive Biology of Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) of Tampamachoco Lagoon, Tuxpan-Veracruz

Se caracterizó el ciclo reproductivo de Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) en organismos colectados mensualmente durante un ciclo anual en la laguna de Tampamachoco, Túxpam, Veracruz, que se ubica en la costa del Golfo de México en la Región Terrestre Prioritaria (RTP-103) de CONABIO considerada sitio RAMSAR 1602 en México. Los resultados histológicos indican que M. leucophaeata presenta cuatro etapas gametogénicas: gametogénesis, madurez, desove total para hembras y expulsión parcial para machos. Uno de los principales factores que influyen en el desove sincrónico de gametos tanto en machos como en hembras es la salinidad, en los meses de enero a marzo.

The reproductive cycle of Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) was characterized in organisms collected monthly during an annual cycle in Tampamachoco lagoon Tuxpam-Veracruz, located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the Terrestre Prioritaria Region (RTP-103) of CONABIO considered a RAMSAR 1602 site in Mexico. Histological results indicated that M. leucophaeata has four gametogenic stages: gamete, maturity, female's total spawning and partial expulsion inmales. One of the main factors that influence the synchronous spawning gametes in both males and females is salinity, in the months of January to March.

The role of vitellogenin during gestation of Girardinichthys viviparus and Ameca splendens; two goodeid fish with matrotrophic viviparity.

Goodeid fish have matrotrophic viviparity, and unlike lecitotrophic fish, yolk loss forces the female to provide the nutritional requirements for embryonic development. Vitellogenin (VTG) is the yolk precursor protein synthesized in the maternal liver, but there is only circumstantial evidence regarding VTG supply during the ontogenesis of bony fish with matrotrophic viviparity. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to identify and quantify VTG during gestation of the black fin goodeid Girardinichthys viviparus and the butterfly split-fin goodeid Ameca splendens. Females at different gonadic developmental stages were selected in order to evaluate VTG mRNA expression in the maternal liver using RT-PCR; VTG quantification in maternal muscle and liver, as well as in the embryos, was done using ELISA, and immunohistochemical detection of VTG was done in the black fin goodeid. The results suggest that VTG supplies nutrients during embryonic development of both species, which have different life histories. It is possible that the transition from lecitotrophy to matrotrophic viviparity in bony fish with intraluminal gestation involved adaptive transition strategies that included changes in the relationship between oocytes and follicular cells, as well as a gradual loss of VTG synthesis during embryonic development.

Descripción histológica de la cámara incubatriz de moina hutchinsoni (Brem, 1937) / Histological description of the brood-chamber of moina hutchinsoni (Brem, 1937)

Los cladóceros son partenogenéticos por lo que la mayor parte del año, las poblaciones consisten enteramente de hembras que se reproducen asexualmente, en ellas el ovario se comunica por medio de un oviducto, con la cámara incubatriz, la cual se localiza en el margen interno posterior del caparazón, cerca del corazón y antes del intestino. Los huevos provenientes de los oviductos se depositan en la cámara y se incuban hasta terminar el desarrollo embrionario. Se considera que Moina presenta un desarrollo postembrionario directo, porque los organismos juveniles o neonatos, salen completamente formados e independientes durante la muda. En la reproducción asexual la cámara contiene a las diferentes etapas del desarrollo embrionario llamadas; ovocito, huevo y embrión. En la etapa sexual o gamogenética la cámara contiene un efipio con dos huevos. La cámara incubatriz histológicamente esta conformada por un epitelio plano simple, que descansa sobre una membrana basal evidente, la cual se continúa con el tejido conjuntivo laxo, después del cual se encuentra el caparazón. En el interior de la cámara se identificaron los ovocitos, huevos y algunas etapas del desarrollo embrionario, en cortes semifinos y finos por microscopia óptica y de transmisión, respectivamente.

Cladocerans are parthenogenetic during the greater part of the year. Populations consist entirely of females that reproduce asexually; in these females the ovary communicates through an oviduct with the brood chamber which is located at the rear inner shell border, near the heart and before the intestine. The eggs originating from the oviducts are deposited in the brood chamber and are incubated until the end of embryonic development. Moina is considered post embryonic development because juvenile or neonate organisms emerge fully formed and independent during moulting. In asexual reproduction the brood chamber contains the various stages of embryonic development denominated, oocyte, egg and embryo. At this stage the sexual gamogenetic contains an ephippium with two eggs. The brood chamber is formed histologically by a simple, plane epithelium that rests on a clear basal membrane continuous with the loose connective tissue, after which the shell can be located. Inside the brood chamber oocytes, eggs and some stages of embryonic development are identified, as well as fine semi optical and transmission microscopy cuts respectively.

Estudio Histológico de Boca, Esófago, Estómago e Intestino de Polystira albida (Gastropoda: Turridae) / Histology Study of Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach and Intestine of Polystira albida (Gastropoda: Turridae)

En la presente investigación se realizó la caracterización histológica del tubo digestivo de Polystira albida (Toxoglossa:Turridae) mediante microscopía óptica, utilizando ejemplares colectados en la Sonda de Campeche. Los resultados del análisis muestran que los labios, la boca y la probóscide presentan un epitelio cilindrico simple ciliado. La cavidad bucal tiene un epitelio cilindrico estratificado. El esófago presenta un epitelio cilindrico simple con células glandulares granulares acidófilas (naturaleza proteica), y es el sitio donde comienza la digestión. El estómago se divide en tres regiones histológicas, y tiene dos tipos de epitelio, uno cilindrico simple ciliado y otro cilindrico simple; el primero está formado por abundantes células glandulares acidófilas y basófilas (naturaleza proteica y glicoproteica', respectivamente); y el segundo contiene slo células glandulares acidófilas. La glándula digestiva está constituida por adenómeros túbulo-acinosos con células glandulares acidófilas y basófilas, en diferentes grados de secreción y los conductos presentan un epitelio cilindrico ciliado con células glandulares de ambos tipos. El intestino se divide en cinco regiones histológicas, la primera presenta un tiflosol con dos tipos de epitelio, cilindrico simple y cilindrico simple con chapa estriada; y el resto del tracto tiene un epitelio cilindrico simple ciliado con células glandulares granulares acidófilas y pliegues de diferentes tamaños que aumentan o reducen la cavidad del conducto. Se concluye que existen diferencias, principalmente en la región anterior del tubo digestivo (cavidad bucal, esófago y estómago), con respecto a las descripciones generales realizadas para la subclase Prosobranchia.

In the present investigation it was realized a histological characterization of the digestive tract of Polystira albida (Toxoglossa: Turridae), by using optic microscopy of specimens collected in Sonda de Campeche. Results of analysis show that lips, mouth and proboscis present a simple columnar epithelium with cilia. Buccal cavity has a stratified columnar epithelium. Esophagus presents a simple columnar epithelium with acidophilic granular glandular cells (proteic nature), and it is the place where digestion starts. Stomach is divided in three histological regions that have two epithelial types, simple columnar with cilia and without one; the first is formed by a lot of acidophilic and basophilic glandular cells (proteic and glycoproteic nature respectively), and the second only contains acidophilic glandular cells. Digestive gland is constituted by tubule-acinous adenomers with acidophilic and basophilic glandular cells in different grades of secretion, and ducts have simple columnar epithelium with cilia and scarcely glandular cells. Intestine is divided in five histological regions, the first presents atyphlosole with two types of epithelium, simple columnar with stratified border; the rest of the tract has simple columnar epithelium with cilia, acidophilic granular glandular cells and folds of different sizes that increase or reduce the cavity duct. Based on previous this, we conclude that in this study exist differences principally in front region of digestive tract (buccal cavity, esophagus and stomach) compared to general descriptions realized for Prosobranchia subclass.