Effect of gentamicin on proximal convoluted tubules of kidney in developing chicks

Aim: To study any teratogenic effect of gentamicin as a result of single-dose injection given therapeutically or accidentally. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 60 fertilized eggs of white leghorn species in the Department of Anatomy, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana. The eggs were incubated for 20 days and divided into treated (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. Eggs of treated and control groups were injected with 0.2 mg of gentamicin sulfate and 'sterilized water for injection', respectively, on the 4th day of incubation. On the 20th day, the chick embryos were extracted and then dissected to remove the kidneys. Results: No effect of gentamicin was found on either the mortality of chick embryos or the gross appearance of the newborn chicks and kidney as compared to the control group. The mean weight of both the right and left kidneys was found less in the treated group, though not statistically significant. On light microscopy, various changes in proximal convoluted tubules were noticed in both the groups which included cystic dilatation and cloudy swelling. Statistical analyses showed that these changes were significantly higher in both the kidneys of treated group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Gentamicin has a teratogenic effect on proximal convoluted tubules of kidney even if administered in a single dose during the development of an embryo.