Electron microscopical investigations on starvation-induced liver pathology in flounders Platichthys flesus

Abstract

Ultrastructure of fish liver is correlated to the quality of the environment to which the fish is exposed. We report here effects of starvation on the liver of juvenile flounders Platichthys flesus L., compared to livers of wellnourished con-specifics. Characteristic changes are decrease of stored products, reduction of endoplasmic reticulum, increased numbers of lysosomes and macrophages, proliferation of collagenous fibres, dissolving of cell junctions and associated parenchyma1 disarray. All alterations proved to be reversible, providing a 60 d period of starvation was followed by 5 d of re-feeding.