Behavioral and histological effects of acrylamide in rainbow trout

A histological and behavioral study was used to assess whether acrylamide produced neurotoxic effects in rainbow trout. Swimming performance of trout exposed to 0, 12.5, or 25 mg/liter acrylamide for 15 days was unaffected. Swimming performance of animals exposed to 50 mg/liter acrylamide for a similar time period was compromised by morbidity and mortality of the animals in this treatment group. The absence of dose-related histological lesions in central neurons, peripheral neurons or muscle suggested that the observed deficit in swimming performance was due to a generalized toxic response. Acrylamide treatment produced dose-related lesions in the gill and liver of rainbow trout.