Assessing hexavalent chromium tissue-specific accumulation patterns and induced physiological responses to probe chromium toxicity in Coturnix japonica quail

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is an environmental pollutant with vast mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. Various past and recent studies confirm the deleterious effects of Cr(VI) in different models, from invertebrates to mammalians. However, there is a lack of studies that comprehensively assess and correlate Cr(VI) accumulation patterns and the resulting physiological responses. Here we used an attractive toxicological model, male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), as an alternative probing system to evaluate Cr(VI) accumulation in the vital organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and testes after 20 days of exposure to 1.2 μg/mL and 2.4 μg/mL potassium dichromate-K2Cr2O7 ingested in the form of drinking water. The observed effects were correlated with the shift in immune system readiness, hematological indices, serum biochemistry and enzyme activity. Regardless of the exposure dose, the Cr(VI) distribution and accumulation pattern in terms of relative Cr(VI) concentration in tissues was: testes > kidneys > liver > heart > brain. Moreover, Cr(VI) triggered the development of microcytic and hypochromic anemia and reduced the immune system’s readiness to cope with challenges. Besides, serum biochemistry presented significant shifts, including reduction of serum electrolytes and proteins and an increase in creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Our study provides novel toxicological data that can be translated to higher animal models to help in the extrapolation of Cr(VI) toxicity in humans. [Display omitted] •Chromium(VI) accumulates in the Japanese quail’s vital organs including brain, heart, liver, kidneys and testes.•Chromium(VI) exposure elicits development of the microcytic and hypochromic anaemia in Japanese quails.•Exposure to chromium(VI) triggers reduced immune system readiness to cope with the challenge.•Serum biochemistry (protein levels and enzyme activity) is a sensitive indicator of the chromium(VI) toxicity.