author(s)
Kalaiyarasi T, Jayakumar N, Jawahar P, Ahilan B and Subburaj A

abstract
The study evaluated the histological changes in gill and liver of marine spotted catfish, Arius maculatus collected from the sewage disposal site at Therespuram off Thoothukudi, Southeast coast of India. Specimens of Arius maculatus were collected from the study site bimonthly from Sep’ 2016 to June’ 2017 with the help of local fishermen by gillnetting. Similarly, specimens of the same species were collected from the relatively unpolluted site (Vembar, Southeast coast of India). Then, the histological sections of the gill and liver were prepared. Observation of the histological sections revealed several abnormal changes in the gill and liver of the fishes collected from the study site whereas the same was normal in the case of fishes collected from the reference site. Histopathological picture of the organs can corroborate with the biochemical changes accounting for the functional disruptions in the activity of the organs due to cellular damage. Hence, it becomes necessary to take appropriate measures to prevent the entry of raw sewage in to the sea.