Histopathological Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on the Broiler Chickens’ Brain Tissue

Background: Considering Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles' (TiO2NPs) widespread use in industries such as food and cosmetics industries with increasing daily demand. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the TiO2NPs' teratogenic effects on the chick's brain tissue. Methods: Ninety fertilized eggs on the third day of incubation were equally divided into 5 groups of control, and intraovarian injection of TiO2NPs concentrations at 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml. The chicks' survival rate and weight measurements were evaluated after 21 days. The cerebrum and cerebellum samples were analyzed after staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin, and Luxol Fast Blue-Cresyl Echt Violet. Results: Macroscopic and histomorphometric analyses revealed no significant differences between the groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in the weights of the brains of chicks. In group one the survival rate was 85.71%, group two 71.42%, group three 64.28% and group four 50%. Four cases of omphalocele and non-absorption of the yolk sac were observed in the group treated at 100 μg/ml. There were no statistically significant differences regarding the perivascular space of the cerebrum, neurons with Nissl bodies, the length of the cortex and medulla of the cerebellum, and the number of Purkinje cells, formation of myelin and pathological lesion. Conclusion: The finding of the current study demonstrates that the effects of TiO2NPs tend to be dose-dependent, posing a considerable danger in terms of embryonic tissue development. Further research endeavors could follow to explore more extensively, especially in the context of humans and the environment.