The ultrastructure of the hepatocytes of the giant seaperch, Lates calcarifer (Bloch) (Pisces: Centropomidae), during starvation and refeeding with different diets.

Abstract

Three groups of immature seaperch acclimated in the laboratory on a mixed commercial pellet and minced trashfish diet were starved for 30 days. Thereafter, the first group was starved for 7 more days, the second was refed with commercial pellets, and the third with trashfish. Through transmission electron microscopy, it was found that after the acclimation period the hepatocytes of Lates calcarifer were primarily lipid-storing. Upon starvation, the following modifications in the hepatocytes were evident: decrease of lipid reserves, hepatocyte shrinkage, mitochondrial swelling, dilation of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and the presence of lysosomes. Among the refed fish, only the hepatocytes of those which were given trashfish recovered from the injury. Recovery was indicated by the restitution of the morphology of the mitochondria, development of parallel stacks of RER, increase in lipid and glycogen, and the distinct compartition of the hepatocytes.