In ovo induced hepatic preneoplasia by n-nitrosodimethylamine and n-nitrosodiethylamine in guinea fowl embryos

Avian embryos have been gaining increasing scientific interest as a valuable model system for the experimental cancer research, that could contribute to a significant reduction of the number of laboratory animals. The toxic and carcinogenic effects induced in ovo by N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in guinea fowl 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.