Author(s): Joycelyn C. Jumawan

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of sub-acute (70 mg/L) lead chloride (PbCl2) exposure on the vital organs of the suckermouth sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis, a species known to thrive in polluted freshwaters. Histological observations in the gills show thickened lamellar epithelium and distinct thrombosed telangiectatic secondary lamella. The liver had the least type of lesions such as fatty change and focal necrosis. The small intestine exhibited massive sloughing of the submucosa and vacuolar degeneration of secretory cells while thinning and disintegration of the submucosa externa, accompanied by pyknotic respiratory cells and necrotic secretory cells were seen extensively in the stomach. The pattern of lead accumulation was in the order of gut> liver>gill>muscle with Pb accumulated significantly in the gut (46.33 mg/L). High accumulation of Pb in the gut, an organ often considered as “end accumulator” could suggest the potential of P. pardalis as a “partial regulator” species for Pb contamination.

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