Quantitative changes in the digestive gland cells of the snail Helix aspersa after exposure to the fungicide copper oxychloride
Date
2005
Authors
Snyman R.G.
Reinecke A.J.
Reinecke S.A.
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Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between accumulated copper in the digestive gland of Helix aspersa, after exposure to the fungicide copper oxychloride, and quantitative changes in the digestive gland cells of this snail. Snails were exposed to 80 and 240μgg-1 copper oxychloride for 6 weeks. Histological sections of digestive glands were analyzed by means of computer-assisted image analysis. Results indicate that copper is strongly accumulated in the digestive gland and that this organ is the main site of copper accumulation in the snail body. Also, as a result of copper accumulation in the digestive gland, measurable changes in epithelium cell height and area of this organ occur. In the case of cell height, these changes are dose-related. It is concluded that changes in digestive gland cells, as a result of copper oxychloride exposure, may possibly serve as biomarkers of exposure to this fungicide. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
chloride, copper, fungicide, biomarker, copper, pesticide residue, pollution effect, pollution exposure, snail, animal experiment, animal tissue, article, computer analysis, controlled study, epithelium cell, exocrine gland, Helix aspersa, image analysis, nonhuman, quantitative analysis, tissue section, toxicity testing, Animals, Copper, Digestive System, Environmental Exposure, Exocrine Glands, Helix (Snails), Tissue Distribution, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Gastropoda, Helix aspersa
Citation
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
60
1
60
1