Lead-Induced Malformations and Kidney Destruction of Developing Chick Embryos

Abstract

Two doses of lead nitrate, 0.5 and 0.1 mg/egg, were injected into the eggs after 3 days of indubation. Lead nitrate increased mortality rate and decreased the body weight of developing embryos. The lead nitrate also decreased the hatchability and the weight of hatching youngs. Gross abnormalities over all body especially the head, neck, beak, eyes and hind limbs in addition to retardation of growth were markedly observed in lead-treated embryos. Lead nitrate exhibited a marked destructive effect on the nephric units of kidneys especially the proximal, distal and collecting tubules. Moreover, the glomeruli of such kidneys were abnormally small and compact.