Dose related histological changes on rabbit liver; orally administered hexachlorocyclohexane [HCH]

ABSTRACT

Insecticide HCH was studied for its effects on male Oractolagus cuniculus rabbit liver in a dose of5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg body weight given orally once daily for 30 days, in order to observe histological changes caused by drug induced toxicity. Dose related decrease in growth rate, hair loss, increase in liver weight and increase in relative tissue weight index was observed. On light microscopy, thickening of liver capsule, dilatation of central vein, congestion of sinusoid central vein and portal vessels, prominent Kupffer cell, focal necrotic changes, inflammatory infiltration, biliary hyperplasia, portal fibrosis and widening of portal tract was observed. But with 20 mg/kg bw dose, the fibrosis was minimal and degeneration and necrotic changes were marked, suggesting the highly hepatotoxic nature of the chemical