N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatic preneoplasia in turkey embryos

Abstract

The toxic and carcinogenic effects induced in ovo by N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in turkey embryos have been examined by means of pathoanatomical and histopathological methods. The obtained results indicate that both compounds induce preneoplastic hepatic alterations. The spectrum of macroscopic and microscopic lesions identified in carcinogen treated embryos has been presented and the potential use of avian embryos as an inexpensive and reliable model system for studies on the hepatocarcinogenesis has been discussed.