CYTOLOGY OF THE OUTER PENIS EPITHELIUM OF BUCCINUM-UNDATUM (L) FROM THE ARCTIC REGION - AN OBSERVATION OF THE IMPOSEX PHENOMENON

TBT (tributyltin)-induced imposex is observed in female Buccinum undatum from the arctic region. The fine structure of the male penis epithelium was investigated and the results were compared between specimens from non-polluted (Spitsbergen, Norway) and highly-polluted (Brittany, France) areas. Differences in the arrangement and structure of the apical microvilli-border, the intercellular spaces, RER and SER content, as well as a high rate of parasitism in the tissue of individuals from Brittany can be detected between the species of both areas. The results indicate a higher degree of pathological changes in the penis epithelial cells of individuals from TBT-polluted areas than in those from Spitsbergen.