Micronucleus assay in genotoxicity assessment

Abstract

Three different pesticide formulations were tested for micronuclei production and cell cycle arrest. Micronucleus test represents a suitable method for assessing chromosome damage because both chromosome breakage (clastogenicity) and chromosome loss (aneugenicity) can be measured simultaneously. In the experiments for 24 and/or 48 h exposure, no significant increase (p < 0.05) in MN frequency was found in comparison with negative control. On the contrary, the values of CBPI (cytochalasin blocked proliferative index) were significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) for both exposure time. Our results indicated an expressive cytotoxic effect of various pesticides in cultivated bovine peripheral lymphocytes.