Histology of Sculpin spp. in east Greenland. I. Histological measures

Abstract

There is inadequate morphological nomenclature and definition of organ pathology when using wild fish in biomonitoring of environmental pollution. The aim of this investigation was to provide a guide that assesses histology of Shorthorn (Myoxocephalus scorpius) and Fourhorn (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) sculpins obtained from a study using these two fish species as bioindicator organisms to evaluate environmental impact attributed to a dumpsite located in East Greenland. Specific histopathological lesions were quantified on the basis of Bernet et al. and all lesions were photomicrographed, evaluated, and placed into specific categories of five reaction patterns. These were circulatory disturbances, regressive changes, progressive alterations, inflammation, and tumors based on anatomical location, type, and severity. This method is postulated to enable an objective assessment of the histological integrity of fish gills and liver; thus, making it possible to compare sculpin pathology and reaction patterns at different locations. Data suggest that this updated histological guide might be used for identification and quantification of histological lesions when applying sculpins in biomonitoring programs in Greenland and other Arctic regions.

Keywords:

• Arctic
• Greenland
• fish
• gills
• liver
• histology

Acknowledgements

Local subsistence hunters are acknowledged for their invaluable help with the fish sampling. Laboratory technicians at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) and Department of Bioscience (Aarhus University, Denmark) are acknowledged for conducting mercury analyses and preparing slides for histology, respectively. A conflict of interest was not reported.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic (DANCEA) and the Arctic Research Centre (ARC) at Aarhus University supported sampling, analyses, and writing of this study as well as the Velux Foundations and the Carlsberg Foundation for funding The North Water Project (NOW) supporting part of the writing process of this work. Financial support was also given from The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark and The Environmental Agency for Mineral Resource Activities [project 771020], Government of Greenland.