Effect of perinatal acrylamide exposure on the liver of albino rat offspring: light and electron microscopic study

Introduction :Acrylamide is an important and common chemical substance widely used for many industrial and laboratory purposes. Aim of the work: This study was designed to determine the histological changes in developing rat liver following the administration of acrylamide in pregnant rats. Materials and methods :Twenty-four pregnant female rats were administered acrylamide by gastric intubation at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Their offspring were divided into three groups: group I (control group) offspring of mothers were given saline; group II (IIa and IIb) offspring of mothers were given acrylamide at day 7 (D7) of gestation till D7 and D21, respectively, after birth; and group III (recovery group) offspring of mothers were treated with acrylamide from day D7 of gestation until D21 after birth and left for 1 month for recovery. Results :The acrylamide-treated group IIa and IIb showed loss of hepatic architecture, areas of necrosis, bile ductular proliferation, and cellular infiltration. The hepatocytes had shrunken, deeply stained nuclei and a vacuolated cytoplasm. Depletion of glycogen granules with a decrease in nuclear DNA-containing particles was also observed. Ultrastructurally, rarification of the cytoplasm, vacuoles, and hemorrhage were observed. Ito cells abnormally lost their fat droplets with deposition of collagen fibers. The recovery group showed signs of improvement, where most of the hepatocytes almost retained their normal ultrastructure. Conclusion: Acrylamide affects the liver of the developing rat during gestation and lactation periods. A recovery period was recommended to allow the tissues to retain their morphological and structural appearance.