Histopathological changes in gills of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Crustacea-Decapoda) following acute exposure to ammonia

REBELO, M.F.; RODRÍGUEZ, E.M.; SANTOS, E.A.; ANSALDO, M.

COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. C, COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY.

Elsevier

Año: 2000 vol. 125 p. 157 - 164

0742-8413

Histopathological effects of ammonia on the gills of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana, 1851) were evaluated after acute exposure to ammonia concentrations around LC50 value (17.85 Mm). Disruption of pilaster cells and a subsequent collapse of gill lamellae were the main effects observed. Ephitelial necrosis and hyperplasia were also detected. Significant (PB0.05) increases in pCO2 and lactate, and significant decreases of pO2 were detected in thehaemolymph of ammonia-exposed crabs. These changes suggest that the observed histopathological damage affected gas exchange, possibly leading to death.