Histological and Electrophoretic Analysis of Carpathian barbel (Barbus carpathicus, Cyprinidae) Skin and Mucus in Environmental Context

Fish frequently serve as bioindicators of aquatic environments during their ecological evaluation. Carpathian barbel (Barbus carpathicus, Cyprinidae) is a species common to rivers and lakes of Eurasia and Africa. Seasons of the year can influence its skin morphology and mucus composition. The clinical status of the animal depends on the above-mentioned factors. The aim of this study was a histological, histometrical and electrophoretical analysis of periodical changes in barbel common integument. The accessible material was investigated in histological, cytological and electrophoretic analysis using hematoxylin-eosin staining, histometric morphometry, gel electrophoresis and cytological methods. The results demonstrated significant differences in the investigated parameters for spring–summer and autumn–winter periods. Both skin epithelium morphology (epithelium thickness, number of cell layers, melanophores and mucous cell existence) and mucus composition (proteins, immune system cells, keratinocytes and mucocytes) showed significant differences between investigated seasons. These morphological and physiological changes were more pronounced in the dorsal than ventral regions of common integument. The differences in the physical characteristics of mucus and the histological structure of the skin cannot only serve as a source of useful information about an evaluated ecosystem, but can be also related to additional factors, e.g., microbiological and chemical water contamination.