Date of Publication
12-2025
Document Type
Bachelor's Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Subject Categories
Biology
College
College of Science
Department/Unit
Biology
Thesis Advisor
Glicera B. Ramos
Defense Panel Chair
Jose Isagani B. Janairo
Defense Panel Member
John Paul Solis Domingo
Marigold O. Uba
Patricio Elvin L. Cantiller
Abstract (English)
Plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, particularly affecting marine ecosystems. Microplastics (MPs) are synthetic solid particles or polymer-based materials ranging in size from 1 μm to 5 mm and are a major contributor to this problem. This study investigated the effects of microplastics on the histology of the (1) intestinal tract and (2) hepatopancreas of Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). A total of 60 fingerlings (n = 15 per treatment group) were exposed to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) powder at 0 mg/L (Control), 50 mg/L (Low Concentration, LC), 250 mg/L (Medium Concentration, MC), and 500 mg/L (High Concentration, HC) after seven days of acclimatization, followed by 28 days of exposure. Histological analysis revealed progressive, dose-dependent effects in the intestinal tract, with the LC exhibiting epithelial vacuolation and lamina propria swelling, the MC showing more pronounced goblet cell depletion and lamina propria detachment, and the HC presenting marked epithelial shortening and consistent inflammation. Hepatopancreatic tissues showed progressive damage, with vascular congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration increasing steadily from LC to HC. Overall, the findings indicate the vulnerability of aquatic organisms to microplastic exposure and highlight the importance of managing plastic waste to reduce microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ang polusyon sa plastik ay isang lumalalang suliraning pangkapaligiran na partikular na nakaaapekto sa mga ekosistemang pandagat. Ang mga mikroplastik (MPs) ay mga sintetikong solidong partikulo o materyal na nakabatay sa polimer na may sukat mula 1 μm hanggang 5 mm at pangunahing nag-aambag sa problemang ito. Sinuri ng pag-aaral na ito ang mga epekto ng mikroplastik sa histolohiya ng (1) intestinal tract at (2) hepatopancreas ng Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). Kabuuang 60 fingerlings (n = 15 bawat treatment group) ang na-expose sa low-density polyethylene (LDPE) powder sa 0 mg/L (Control), 50 mg/L (Low Concentration, LC), 250 mg/L (Medium Concentration, MC), at 500 mg/L (High Concentration, HC) matapos ang pitong araw na aklimatisasyon, kasunod ang 28 araw na exposure.
Ipinakita ng histolohikal na pagsusuri ang progresibo at dose-dependent na mga epekto sa intestinal tract, kung saan ang LC ay nagpakita ng epithelial vacuolation at pamamaga ng lamina propria, ang MC ay nagpakita ng mas malinaw na pagkabawas ng mga goblet cell at paghiwalay ng lamina propria, at ang HC ay nagpakita ng kapansin-pansing pag-ikli ng epithelium at tuloy-tuloy na pamamaga. Ang mga hepatopancreatic tissue ay nagpakita rin ng progresibong pinsala, kung saan ang vascular congestion at pagdami ng infiltrating inflammatory cells ay patuloy na tumataas mula LC hanggang HC. Sa kabuuan, ipinapakita ng mga natuklasan ang kahinaan ng mga organismong aquatiko sa exposure sa mikroplastik at binibigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng tamang pamamahala ng plastik na basura upang mabawasan ang mikroplastik sa mga ekosistemang tubig.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Nile tilapia; Fishes—Diseases; Histology
Recommended Citation
Tan, A. V., & Cayetano, O. R. (2025). Effects of polyethylene on the histology of intestinal tract and hepatopancreas of Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_bio/174
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Embargo Period
12-4-2026
