Ultrastructural response of the liver of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, sac-fry exposed to acetone

Acetone has been used to solubilize liposoluble molecules in toxicological tests using fish. The effects over time of a sublethal concentration (0.1%) of acetone on the livers of trout sac-fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated by electron microscopy. Changes in the hepatocyte membranes (dilation of the interhepatocytic space, formation of intracellular myelinic figures) occurred between the first and 7th day of exposure. However, these changes were minor and they did not persist after 22 days of exposure. Acetone caused changes in hepatocytes which could affected the toxicity of the xenobiotics tested. Thus use of this solvent as vehicle in toxicological experiments should be avoided.