Impact of nickel poisoning on the histology of the ovaries of Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract

Ovaries of Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to sublethal concentrations of nickel sulphate (0.5 mg/1 and 1.0 mg/1) were histologically analyzed. Changes following exposure to 0.5 mg/1 nickel sulphate include irregularities in the shape of egg follicles, subcellular oocyte damage, lifting off of the theca layer and proliferation of connective tissues. In the ovaries exposed to 1.0 mg/1 nickel sulphate, degenerative changes are worse. Invasion by connective tissues is extensive, oocytes have bizarre shapes, yolk granules are scattered in the interfollicular spaces, abnormal growths are evident and previttelogenic oocytes abound.

Nickel is a toxicant in Oreochromis mossambicus ovaries.