Histopathology of gills in mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis after long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of malathion

The histopathological effects of malathion, an organophosphate pesticide, on the gill tissues in mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, were determined by light microscope. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.01 and 0.02 mg/L) of malathion for 10, 20 and 30 days. Histological examination of the gills treated with malathion showed a variety of histopathological effects. The gill lesions included necrosis and desquamation of secondary lamellar epithelium, lifting up of epithelium, intraepithelial oedema, fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae, haemorrhage at primary lamellae, disorganization and rupture in seconder lamellae, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of epithelial cells. These alterations were time- and dose-dependent.