Ultra-structural pathology of liver due to subacute acephate toxicity in broiler chickens

Day old, 100 broiler chicks were randomly divided into five equal groups. From day zero, group I was served as control whereas, group II, III, IV and V were fed with acephate @ 1/20^th, 1/15^th, 1/10^th and 1/5^th LD50 per kg feed, respectively (LD50 = 852 mg/kg) for a period of 4 weeks. Microscopic examination of liver in group II and III showed mild granular and vacuolar degenerative changes in hepatocytes and mild increased sinusoidal spaces. Whereas, group IV and V showed prominent lymphoid aggregation, bile duct hyperplasia, extensive granular and vacuolar changes, condensation of nucleus, areas of necrosis and fatty changes. Ultra structurally, the liver from group IV and V revealed eruption and perforation of nuclear wall, loss of chromatin, swollen mitochondria with degenerative changes, severe loss of endoplasmic reticulum and residues of cell organelles in the cytopolasm. Lesions were more severe in group V. While low dosed groups (Group II and III) showed similar findings with mild intensity. On the basis of histopathological and ultra structural findings, it is concluded that acephate produces dose dependant hepatotoxicity in broiler chickens.