Kinetics of induced wound repair at 0°C in the Antarctic fish (Cabeçuda) Notothenia coriiceps

Abstract

Notothenia coriiceps were kept at 0±2°C. Following anaesthesia, a square excision (4 cm2) was made on the dorsal lateral anterior regions on both sides. The process of wound healing was monitored after 0, 1, 2, 7, 15, 23, 60 and 90 days. The wounds were processed for scanning electron microscopy. Following surgery, haemorrhage was abundant; after 24–48 h, the wound was covered by mucous exudes. At 7–15 days, there was an epidermal migration towards the centre of the wound, while the borders became oedematous. During 23–30 days, all the wounds were closed like a sphincter and there was retraction of the borders. After 60–90 days, the wounds contracted and became black. No scales were seen in the wounded area. The regenerating epidermis migration speed was 33.3–43.4 μm/day. This work shows for the first time the kinetics of wound repair at 0°C.