MORPHOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL-CHANGES CAUSED BY SODIUM DODECYL-SULFATE IN THE GILLS OF GILTHEADS (SPARUS-AURATA, L)

An investigation was made into the biological effects of the anionic d etergent sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), on the gills of giltheads (Spa rus aurata, L.). The fish were exposed to concentrations of 5, 8.5, 10 and 15 mg/l SDS. The surface tension acquired at each concentration w as determined and the LC50 calculated. Serious morphological damage to the gills and changes in protein and carbohydrate molecules (demonstr ated by histochemical techniques) were observed. The degree of these a lterations was dependent upon the SDS concentration and the length of time of exposure. It is suggested that changes in the gills lead to re spiratory dysfunction and that this may be one of the major causes of death.