Abstract
Lens cataracts were found in three sciaenids, Atlantic croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus), weakfish ( Cynoscion regalis) and spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus) in the severely polluted Elizabeth River, Virginia, and induced by in vitro exposure of spot to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated Elizabeth River sediments. An unusual organ, the living (epithelial and new fiber cells) and ‘non-living’ (older fiber cells and the capsule) components of eye lenses are products of a single cell type. Many lens abnormalities, whether from intoxication, nutritional imbalances, radiation exposure or genetic causes, result from developmental, metabolic or morphological aberrances induced in epithelial cells or new fiber cells. Cataracts of most types observed in our samples are such lesions. Developmental and micromorphological modifications in lens epithelial cells, their cell progeny (the fiber cells) and acellular products (the capsule) related to cataract production from intoxication were examined by bright-field microscopy. Cataractous feral and laboratory-exposed finfishes were employed, with reference or control specimens for comparison. Resulting modifications, including cellular hyperplasia, pleomorphism, megalocytosis, inclusions, necrosis and intracellular vacuolization as well as acellular changes, such as intercellular vacuolization and capsular anomalies, are described or depicted. Studies of cataractogenesis in teleost eyes should yield valuable information on cellular effects of pollution-related intoxication. Further, the whole lens, the lens epithelial layer and individual lens cells are promising subjects for in vivo and in vitro studies of toxicity and environmental bioassay.
Published Version
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