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Dietary exposure of mink to carp from Saginaw Bay, Michigan: 2. Hematology and liver pathology

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Abstract

The effects of consumption of environmental contaminants contained in carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Saginaw Bay, Michigan on various hematological parameters and liver integrity of adult female mink (Mustela vison) were determined. Mink were fed diets that contained 0 (control), 10, 20, or 40% carp prior to and throughout the reproductive period (182 days). The diets contained 0.015, 0.72, 1.53, and 2.56 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)/kg diet and 1.0, 19, 40, and 81 pg 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs)/g diet, respectively. Mink fed the diets containing carp showed a general dose-dependent occurrence of clinical signs commonly associated with chlorinated hydrocarbon toxicity, including listlessness, nervousness when approached, anorexia, and melena. Erythrocyte counts were less in mink exposed to Saginaw Bay carp than in controls, while the number of white blood cells was greater than in controls. Significant differences (p<0.05) in the concentrations of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils were also found between the control and carp-fed groups, but are considered to be of limited clinical or biological importance. Hematocrit values for the mink fed the 20 and 40% carp diets were significantly less than those of mink in the control and 10% carp groups. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin concentrations among the groups. Necropsies revealed enlarged yellowish livers in many of the carp-fed mink, especially those fed the 40% carp diet. Liver, spleen, and lung weights of carp-fed mink were significantly greater than those of control mink. Histopathologic examination of the livers revealed various degrees of congestion, hepatocellular fatty changes, and scattered portal lymphocytic infiltration which were most prevalent in mink fed the carp diets. These clinical signs, hematological effects, and histologic alterations are similar to those previously described for chlorinated hydrocarbon toxicoses in mink.

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Author notes

  1. S. N. Heaton

    Present address: Surface Water Quality Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Knapp Center, P.O. Box 30028, 48904, Lansing, MI

  2. P. D. Jones

    Present address: Wellington Science Center, ESR Environmental, Gracefield Rd., P.O. Box 30547, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

  3. T. J. Kubiak

    Present address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Environmental Contaminants, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., #330, 22203, Arlington, VA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    S. N. Heaton, S. J. Bursian & R. J. Aulerich

  2. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    J. P. Giesy, P. D. Jones & D. A. Verbrugge

  3. Department of Pathology, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    J. A. Render

  4. Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    S. J. Bursian, J. P. Giesy & R. J. Aulerich

  5. Pesticide Research Center, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    J. P. Giesy & D. A. Verbrugge

  6. Midwest Science Center, National Biological Survey, 4200 New Haven Road, 65201, Columbia, Missouri, USA

    D. E. Tillitt

  7. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1405 South Harrison Road, 48823, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    T. J. Kubiak

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  1. S. N. Heaton
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Heaton, S.N., Bursian, S.J., Giesy, J.P. et al. Dietary exposure of mink to carp from Saginaw Bay, Michigan: 2. Hematology and liver pathology. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 29, 411–417 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212509

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212509

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