Histopathology of the digestive gland of an Antarctic limpet exposed to cadmium

Histopathological alterations induced experimentally with cadmium (Cd) in A ntarctic limpets (Nacella concinna), exposed for different times and concen trations were compared to controls. At the light microscope level, samples exposed to the contaminant for short periods (6, 12 and 24 h) at two differ ent concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 mg l(-1)) showed no alterations compared t o controls. After 48 h of exposure at a 0.5 mg l(-1) Cd concentration, vacu olisation of the basophilic cells was observed. After 72 h exposure, there was a marked loss of all the digestive gland structure, with cell autolysis and loss of basophilia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .