Cardiovascular Malformations and Functional Changes Induced by Trichloroethylene in Developing Chick Embryos

Drinking contaminated water remains a major concern for people involved in limiting health risks from environmental toxins. Among those toxins, the chlorinated solvent, trichloroethylene (TCE), is recognized as a remarkably potent teratogen for developing embryos. The purpose of the present investigation was to demonstrate teratogenic effects of TCE on the developing cardiovascular system of the avian embryo. In addition, physiological impairment was studied to obtain evidence of the possible mechanism. In the early stage, on day 4 of incubation, TCE (30 μM or 40 μM/0.05 ml of solution) was administered on the chorioallantoic membranes of developing chick embryos. Various types of cardiac malformation were noted in the experimental group. Abnormal electrocardiographic changes were detected 6 to 30 minutes after TCE application. The dorsal aortic flow was remarkably decreased in the same time phases. Ultrastructually, the cell degeneration of the embryonic myocardium was significant. The most characteristic cardiac anomalies, for example the developmental arrest types, are related to the interference of normal physiological and structural patterns in early stages of the embryonic cardiovascular system.