Effect of carbendazim® in the infundibulum of the Japanese quail: Morphometrical and ultrastructural studies

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of various doses of carbendazim® on the morphology of the infundibulum in the Japanese quail. Carbendazim in sunflower oil was administered orally at doses of 0 mg/kg (control), 25 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg bodyweight. No degenerative changes were observed at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg b.w. Doses of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg b.w caused a significant increase in the height of primary mucosal folds (p<0.05). Dose-dependent decrease in glandular luminal diameters was observed (p<0.05). Leukocytic infiltration and hyperaemia were seen in the lamina propria-submucosa. Pyknosis, condensation of nuclear chromatin, swollen mitochondria and vacuolation were observed in the luminal and glandular epithelia. Deciliation and formation of compound cilia were encountered. The observed changes indicate the ability of carbendazim to interfere with cytoskeletal component in the reproductive tract and is threat to the fertility of exposed birds. © 2015, Korean Society of Environmental Risk Assessment and Health Science and Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.