Ultrastructural investigations of the penis epithelia cells of three neogastropods, collected from TBT (tributyltin)-polluted areas

Abstract This ultrastructural study identified the cell structure and a wide range of cell changes in penis epithelia of the male and female neogastropods ( Hinia reticulata, Hinia incrassata, Ocinebrina aciculata ). The occurence of a penis in the female sex, which is termed imposex, were induced by TBT (tributyltin) contamination. The results indicate that the cells of imposex affected females were less active and differed from those of males by distinctive degenerated structures, including a loss of epithelium cell layers, enlarged nuclei with less membrane invaginations, irregular extended mitochondria with a loss of cristae, and a general reduced number of organelles. Regarding the high TBT-pollution in the field, where the animals were collected, Ocinebrina aciculata showed the most conspicuous pathological cell changes. On the basis of literature data Littorina littorea (Mesogastropoda) appeared to be less sensitive to pollution.