Apoptosis and Health Assessment in Aquatic Models

Apoptosis, the orchestrated programme of cellular self-destruction, plays a central role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and the response to environmental stressors in aquatic organisms. In fish, crustaceans and amphibians, apoptotic pathways are activated by both intrinsic signals (mitochondrial perturbation, oxidative stress) and extrinsic cues (death-receptor ligation, xenobiotic exposure). Quantification of apoptosis through molecular assays, imaging techniques and histopathology provides sensitive biomarkers of sublethal toxicity and disease progression. Concurrent assessment of organ morphology, immunological status and behavioural endpoints enhances interpretation of apoptotic patterns in the context of organismal health. Advances in automated image analysis, transcriptomics and proteomics are refining our ability to detect early apoptotic events and to integrate them with broader physiological responses. These approaches underpin water-quality monitoring, risk assessment for emerging contaminants and the optimisation of welfare in aquaculture. By linking cell-death mechanisms to population-level effects, apoptosis-based health assessment in aquatic models informs regulatory frameworks and supports sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems worldwide.

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Apoptosis and Health Assessment in Aquatic Models publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in apoptosis and health assessment in aquatic models across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Apoptosis: A regulated form of cell death characterised by membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and activation of caspases.

Ferroptosis: An iron-dependent cell-death pathway driven by lipid peroxidation and distinct from classical apoptosis.

Caspase: A family of cysteine proteases that execute apoptosis by cleaving specific substrates.

Histopathology: The microscopic examination of tissues to identify morphological changes indicative of disease or toxicity.

Biomarker: A measurable molecular, cellular or physiological indicator of biological state or response to environmental stress.

References

1. Automated Identification of Histological Lesions in Nonmodel Organisms: Reinvigorating Environmental Science. Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2025).
2. Effects of Ammonia Stress on the Antioxidant, Ferroptosis, and Immune Response in the Liver of Golden Pompano Trachinotus ovatus. Antioxidants (2025).
3. Ability of Lactobacillus brevis 47f to Alleviate the Toxic Effects of Imidacloprid Low Concentration on the Histological Parameters and Cytokine Profile of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Diving into the fish pathology of an important commercial fish species: the case of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758) in the northwest Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Fish Biology (2024).