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Fisheries Science of Ukraine, 2026; 3(77): 192-207
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.03.192
UDC [597.553.1:597-14]:628.394.1

Received:  26.07.2026
Received in revised form: 29.08.2026
Published: 30.09.2026

Morphofunctional condition of pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758) kidneys under conditions of anthropogenic load on a water body

O. Koziy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0002-0064-4637, Kherson Agrarian and Economic University, Kherson

Purpose. To perform histological analysis of pike kidneys to assess the condition of the organ and identify changes in renal and hematopoietic tissues under the influence of anthropogenic load. To establish the degree of its impact on fish health and to determine the possibilities of using the obtained data in morphological, ichthyological, and ecological studies.

Methodology. The primary materials were obtained in the spring of 2026 in the Ingul River. Chromatographic analysis of water for the determination of insecticides and in-house processing of histological samples were performed at the Expert Center for Diagnostics and Laboratory Support “Biolights” (Ternopil). The obtained results were processed using MICAM, Microsoft Office Picture Manager, FS Viewer.

Findings. Comparative microscopic studies of pike kidneys showed that certain adaptive and pathological changes occured in the organ under changed conditions of existence. It has been determined that it was possible to conditionally consider the renal and hematopoietic components of the organ as bioindication zones. With prolonged exposure of pike to imidacloprid, the reaction of the kidneys was manifested as a shift in the volume balance of renal and hematopoietic tissues. An increase in the volume of renal tissue has been recorded, which occurred due to an increase in the population of blast forms. In severe cases, a sharp hemostasis, vascular pathologies and hemosiderin deposits are observed. The action of the renal tissue in the presence of imidacloprid in water was manifested as a decrease in the volume of primary filtrate in renal corpuscles, which did not depend on the presence of hemostasis. It has been proven that toxic damage to renal corpuscles and tubules in pike occurred in a severe form and ended with their disintegration. In the prognosis, damage and partial loss of individual components of renal tissue led to renal failure.

Originality. New insights are presented, and existing concepts expanded, regarding the renal response of fish to altered environmental conditions. A microstructural analysis of pike kidneys was conducted for the first time, detailing the chronological response of the organ’s components to imidacloprid exposure. The updated information highlights species-specific tissue remodeling patterns that contribute to organismal resilience under chemical stress.

Practical Value. The obtained results are of great importance for morphophysiological studies and can be used in ichthyological and ecological practice. This is especially important in the context of increasing anthropogenic pollution of aquatic ecosystems, which leads to a decrease in the vital potential of valuable commercial and aquaculture fish species.

Keywords: water toxicology, water area, pollution, imidacloprid, fish populations, renal tissue, hematopoietic tissue, pathology.

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