Histopathologic survey of ovaries of fish from petroleum production and control sites in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Ovaries collected from 11 species of demersal and platform‐associated pelagic fishes were examined for petroleum induced lesions. The fish were taken from the north central Gulf of Mexico near 20 oil or gas production platforms and three control sites during two periods, spring and late summer. The status of the ovarian cycle correlated well in the majority of cases with known spawning times. Histopathological conditions most prominent in the ovary other than atresia, generally considered physiological, were acidophilic granular cells, chromatophores and leucocytic foci or infiltration, whereas degeneration, helminths and protozoa with associated tissue responses were rarely noted. Minimal morphological evidence of adverse effects by toxic petroleum elements on the ovary was found., Accepted 21 July 1980