HEMATOLOGICAL AND BLOOD-BIOCHEMISTRY PARAMETERS OF GUINEA FOWLS IN EARLY STAGE OF NITROSODIETHYLAMINE INDUCED HEPATOCARCINOGENESIS

In ovo models (avian embryos) are a novel alternative to laboratory animals used in the experimental cancer research. In the present study, the preneoplastic liver lesions induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in guinea fowls were examined by histopatological methods. The alterations of some hematological and biochemical parameters were examined in guinea fowls hatched from carcinogen-inoculated eggs. Histopathology confirmed the presence of basophilic and eosinophilic foci of altered hepatocytes, strongly resembling the morphology of the preneoplastic lesions previously found in other avian species and laboratory rodents treated with the same carcinogen, as well as in humans with hepatocellular carcinomas. In addition to the focal hepatic lesions, pronounced hyperplasia of cholangiocytes and spongiosis hepatis were also detected in treated guinea fowls. The established alterations of hematological and biochemical parameters included thrombocytopenia and an increase of the levels of major liver enzymes and were related to the hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, changes in the leukogram (leukocytosis, lymphocytosis and granulocytosis), as well as hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypoglycemia were observed.