Abstract

In this study, when the raw wastewater, which resulted from the manufacturing of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) dimethylamine salt and 2,4-D acid isooctylester herbicides in the factory, was discharged to the ecosystem without treatment, its ecotoxic effect on the pancreas and liver of rats was investigated. In this research, 16 Wistar Albino race male rats were grouped into two (Group 1- control, n = 8; Group 2- wastewater, n = 8) and were then used. The rats in Group 1 were fed by standard feed, while rats in Group 2 were fed by a diet including 200 mg/kg/day factory composite raw wastewater for 16 weeks, and dissection was carried out for all of them. In the research, it was determined that the body, liver and pancreas weights of rats were decreased when compared to the control group; however, there was no significant statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the two groups. In the histopathological investigation, on the other hand, it was determined that atypical cell focuses (ACF) (neoplastic variations) were observed in the liver and pancreas of rats in Group 2 and the quantitative analysis of the ACF was performed. In the livers of rats in Group 2, dilation in sinusoids close to the vein centralis and hydropic degeneration in parenchyma were observed when compared to the control group. Since there is a possibility that the neoplastic variations caused by this wastewater could be transformed into adenoma or carcinoma during long-term treatment, it also seems possible that it could be carcinogenic.

Key words: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), herbicide, wastewater, atypical cell focuses, pancreas and liver, ecotoxic effect.