Toxicological effect of ethanol on the development of chicken embryo in ova

Abstract This study aimed at finding out the toxicological effects of ethanol on chicken embryo during early stages of development. The nature and extent of toxicological effects were investigated to identify the concentration which causes the death of the embryo. The total (n=32) eggs were divided into four groups viz. control group, group A, group B and group C. Eight eggs were placed in each group for incubation. Different concentrations of ethanol were given to those groups viz. 5%, 10%, and 15% respectively. Gross anatomical defects particularly embryo’s body weight, body length, wings length and hind limbs length throughout seven days incubation were measured after the exposure of mentioned ethanol concentrations. The results of mean values of seven-day-old chick embryos exposed to 5% ethanol showed non-significant effect (P>0.05) on body weight, wings length and the hind limbs length of all groups concerning control group chick embryo. But ethanol with a concentration of 10% and 15% showed a significant effect (P<0.05) on the body length of chick embryo in comparison with 5% treated chicks. The results of hatchability showed that group A showed 90% normal hatchability at the 21st day while group B showed no remarkable delay in comparison of group C which showed delayed hatching at 22nd day due to exposure of heavy dose. Moreover, among the most frequent abnormalities, hind limb lengths at 15% and body weight at 5% were found reduced in size. Ethanol exposure increases the risks of developmental defects with increasing embryonic age, delayed and assisted hatching. Keywords: Chicken; Embryo; Ethanol; Ova; Toxic http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80030