Light and electron microscopical changes in the liver of mice following treatment with aminotriazole

Light and electronmicroscopical alterations in the liver of mice were shown oral administration of aminotriazole. Intensity of damage depends on concentration. High dosage affects all inter- and intralobular portions. Presented light microscopical results show, next to an extreme hypertrophy of hepatocytes, well distinguishable nuclear deformations and increased pyknotic nucleoli. The cytoplasm contains numerous vacuoles and lipid droplets. Fine structural alterations after drug administration include defects on all cell organelles and membranes. Especially proliferations of smooth ER cisternae with simultaneous reductions of rough ER cisternae, increase of microbodies as well as numerous defects on mitochondria were obvious. Interpretations of the mode of action of aminotriazole is based on ultrastructural results and biochemical knowledge on this herbicide and compared with other toxicants.