Changes in the chick liver structure and blood plasma biochemical properties following in ovo administration of acrylamide.

This study analyzed the effects of acrylamide administration during the embryonic period on liver microstructure and blood plasma biochemical parameters in hatched chicks. On day 6 of incubation, 96 embryonated eggs per group were injected with acrylamide (ACR) at doses of 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg ACR/egg dissolved in 0.9% saline solution (100 µL). Embryo development, hatchability and quality of chicks were evaluated. The ten chicks per group (0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg ACR/egg) were euthanized immediately after hatching, and blood and liver samples were collected for further analysis. Hatchability was 74.0, 67.7, 66.7 and 49.5% in groups treated with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg ACR/egg, respectively, while all embryos died in 2.0 and 4.0 mg ACR/egg groups. Acrylamide intoxication affected only a few biochemical parameters of blood, including a significant decrease in glucose and globulin levels in the group injected with a dose of 1 mg/egg and a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen concentration in the group treated with a dose of 0.5 mg/egg. However, this substance caused negative changes in the microarchitecture of the liver of one-day-old chicks, as indicated by the results of histomorphometric analysis, such as an increase in total hepatocyte nuclei, binucleated hepatocytes, cell nucleus size, collagen area, and other cells. Furthermore, abnormalities in liver structure were confirmed by trace elements content results. Thus, in individuals treated with acrylamide (0.25 and 0.5 mg/egg), a decrease in copper levels and (0.25 mg/egg) nickel and iron levels and an increase in cadmium levels were observed. An increase in lead content was similarly observed in the group exposed to acrylamide at a dose of 0.5 mg/egg, as well as an increase in zinc levels in groups administered various doses of this toxic substance. Overall, the results suggest an inconsistent and dose-dependent toxic effect of acrylamide on liver structure and selected blood plasma parameters in one-day-old chicks.