Effects of tributyltin chloride on cell structures of epithelial layer in different stages of Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758)

BACKGROUND: Tributylin chloride (TBTCl) has been demonstrated to be acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of TBTCl on epithelial cell of gut Artemia salina in different stages (Nauplii, Juveniles, and Adults). METHODS: Samples of A. salina used were cultivated in incubators for hatching. Nauplii were harvested at 24 hours of age, while the juveniles and adults were harvested at 21 and 35 days of age, respectively. These three stages of A. salina were exposed to different concentrations of TBTCl (1 ng.L(−1) to 500 ng.L(−1)) for 24 hours. For nauplii, juveniles, and adults, 100 individuals were exposed, and those that survived in the exposure test were harvested for histological analysis. RESULTS: The histological examinations revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in type of lesions associated with different TBTCl concentrations and at different stages. The predominant lesions associated with different stages and different concentrations of TBTCl were epithelial cell necroasis, degeneration, cell loss, disruption, piknosis, and submucosal necrosis. Cell scoring was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups of different TBTCl concentrations and different life stages. CONCLUSION: Overall, in this study, the generality of the lesion scores showed that the adults are relatively more susceptible to the effects of TBTCl compared to the juvenile and the nauplii.