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Photoprotective substance occurs primarily in outer layers of fish skin

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An Erratum to this article was published on 01 June 1998

Abstract

Methanol extracts of dorsal skin layers, eyes, gills, and livers from ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation-sensitive and UVB-tolerant species of freshwater fish were examined for a substance that appears to be photoprotective. Significantly larger amounts of this substance were found in extracts of outer dorsal skin layers from both UVB-sensitive and UVB-tolerant fish when compared with extracts of inner dorsal skin layers. This substance occurred in minor amounts or was not detected in eye, gill, and liver extracts. The apparent primary function of this substance in fish is to protect the cells in outer dorsal skin layers from harmful levels of UVB radiation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Environmental and Contaminants Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, 65201, Columbia, Missouri, USA

    David L. Fabacher & Edward E. Little

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  1. David L. Fabacher
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  2. Edward E. Little
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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02986392.

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Fabacher, D.L., Little, E.E. Photoprotective substance occurs primarily in outer layers of fish skin. Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res. 5, 4–6 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02986366

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02986366

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