Hyperplastic and neoplastic alterations in the livers of white perch (Morone americana) from the Chesapeake Bay

White perch (Morone americana) sampled from 15 estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay contained a variety of hyperplastic and neoplastic alterations in their livers. The lesions were derived from bile ductular epithelium and/or hepatocytes. The biliary lesions consisted of hyperplasias and adenomas. The hepatocellular lesions consisted of focal populations of altered cells and neoplasms, of clear-cell and basophilic morphologic appearance. The hepatocellular lesions were conspicuous in the absence of the decreased amount of copper accumulation. In this respect, the cells comprising these lesions are reminiscent of cells from hepatocellular neoplasia in mice and rats resistant to accumulation of iron.