TBT (tributyltin) toxicity to the visual and olfactory functions of tigerperch (Terapon jarbua Forsskal)

TBT (tributyltin) toxicity to the visual and olfactory functions of tigerpe rch (Terapon jarbua Forsskal). Zoological Studies 38(2): 189-195. In order to understand tributyltin (TBT) toxicity to peripheral sensory functions, c hanges of visual and olfactory structures of tigerperch ( Terapon jarbua Fo rsskal) were examined in juvenile and adult fish after exposure to 10, 50, and 100 mu g TBTII in juveniles and to 1 and 5 mu g TBT/I in adults, respec tively, for 7 d. Severe sloughing of squamous epithelial cells led to a thi nning of the corneal epithelium. The retinomotor response of pigmented epit heiium significantly decreased from 75.33% +/- 2.88% (in the control group) to 63.33% +/- 4.04% (p < 0.05, n = 3) in the 100 mu g/l group. The separat ion and necrotic corneal epitheiium may lead to partial opacity and/or irre gular abrasion and thus decrease retinomotor responses. In addition, scanni ng electron microscopic studies revealed edema, deformity, and sloughing of the microvilli, cilia, and rods in receptor cells of the olfactory epithel ium. Electroolfactogram (EOG) responses significantly decreased from -3.0 /- 0.6 mV to -1.3 +/- 0.5 mV (1 mu g/l) and -0.4 +/- 0.1 (5 mu g/l), respec tively (n = 3).