Figure 3

Photomicrograph of the anterior intestine and liver of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) fed raw bentonite at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, and 4.5% Per kg feed for 84 days. Where B0 = 0% bentonite, B0.5 = 0.5% bentonite, B1 = 1% bentonite, B1.5 = 1.5% bentonite, B3.0 = 3.0% bentonite, and B4.5 = 4.5% bentonite. H&E, Scale bars 25 um and 10 um. Group B0 demonstrates normal histological characteristics, including villi with branching (green arrow), normal villous length (green arrow), villous width (black arrow), crypt length (yellow arrow), and muscle coat thickness (red arrow) (red arrow). Group B0.5 demonstrates normal histological characteristics, including relatively short, branched intestinal villi (green arrow), normal villous breadth (black arrow), crypt length (yellow arrow), and muscle coat thickness (red arrow) (red arrow). There is an increase in the number of goblet cells (orange arrows), short, thick celli (brown arrows), and hepatocellular vacuolations (light blue arrows). Group B1.0 demonstrates normal histological characteristics, including villi with branching (green arrow), normal villous length (green arrow), villous width (black arrow), crypt length (yellow arrow), and muscle coat thickness (red arrow) (red arrow). There is a normal population of goblet cells (orange arrow), long, thick celli (brown arrow), and hepatocellular vacuolations (light blue arrow). Group B1.5 demonstrates normal histological characteristics, including relatively long, branched intestinal villi (green arrow), normal villous width (black arrow), crypt length (yellow arrow), and muscle coat thickness (red arrow) (red arrow). Increased goblet cells (orange arrow) and more active pancreatic acini are shown. Group B3 demonstrates normal histological features, including villi with branching (green arrow) and increased villous width (black arrow). The length of the crypt (yellow arrow) and thickness of the muscular coat (red arrow) appear normal. There is a modest amount of goblet cells (orange arrow), highly branching big intestine folds (orange arrows), and interlobular hepatic vascular dilatation (red arrow). Group B4.5 demonstrates normal histological characteristics, including relatively short branched intestinal villi (green arrow) and increased villous width (black arrow). The length of the crypt (yellow arrow) and thickness of the muscular coat (red arrow) appear normal. There are a moderate number of immune cells (yellow star) and periportal hepatic vascular dilatation (red arrow).