The reports of lesions in kidney and intestine of apparently normal cultured silver carp (Hypophtalmictys molitrix)

Among fresh water fishes, silver carp because of fast growth rate and desired meat quality, is a dominant species in polyculture systems in Iran. This fish mainly feed on phytoplankton. In present survey kidney and intestine of 120 silver carp (Hypophtalmictys molitrix) from 4 regions in Khuzestan province-Iran have been studied. Tissue samples were provided from kidney and intestine and sectioned by routine method after paraffin embedding and finally stained with hematoxilin and eosin (H & E). The microscopic results were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Microscopical analysis showed that kidney tissue had lesions including: edema, necrosis, uroliths, hemorrhage and degeneration. In different regions, fishes showed different prevalence of lesions. Edema and urolith were the most prevalent lesions (30 and 25 percent respectively). In histometric analysis the diameter of layers of intestine in some of the fish farms were significantly higher than the other regions. This increase was because of increase in muscular layer. The intensity of all lesions was estimated as light according to distribution of lesions. The probable cause of these lesions may be the high stocking density, intoxication, water quality problem such as excessive carbon dioxide. The only lesion in intestine was the excessive proliferation of mucus cells that this lesion may be created due to the improper plankton diet.