Ultrastructural morphometry of rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri) hepatocytes during 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) induction of MFOs

When liver microsomal MFOs in teleost species are induced, no change or a very slight increase in microsomal protein is seen. In mammalian studies with phenobarbital, structural alterations in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) accompany increased activity of MFO enzymes. No such coupled morphological and biochemical studies have been performed in fish during induction. Quantitative morphological (morphometric) analysis was performed on liver from control and 3-MC-treated rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson). Volume density and surface density for total cytoplasmic membrane structures were determined. Results show that Electron microscopy shows a lack of appreciable membrane change.