What Are Common Histopathological Changes Observed?
Exposure to toxic substances can induce a range of histopathological changes in aquatic organisms, including:
1. Cellular Necrosis: The death of cells due to severe damage, often characterized by cell swelling, ruptured membranes, and loss of nuclear structure. 2. Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, which can be identified by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and formation of apoptotic bodies. 3. Inflammation: The presence of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, in tissues as a response to injury or infection. 4. Degeneration: Structural deterioration of tissues, often seen as vacuolation, loss of cellular integrity, and fibrosis. 5. Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy: An increase in the number of cells (hyperplasia) or cell size (hypertrophy) as a response to chronic exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of toxins.
