Assessment of anilofos-induced mutagenicity in bone marrow and germ cells of Swiss albino mice.

Anilofos is an organophosphate compound and is used extensively as a preemergence and early postemergence herbicide for the management of sedges, annual grasses, and some broad-leaved weeds in rice fields. The present study was aimed to assess the mutagenic potential of anilofos after sub-chronic exposure in Swiss albino mice. For this, a combined approach employing micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberration (CA) studies and sperm-head abnormalities (SHAs) was used. Three dose levels of 1%, 2%, and 4% of maximum tolerated dose (MTD) (235 mg/kg b.wt.), that is, 2.35, 4.7 and 9.4 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, were administered orally daily for 90 days. A higher incidence of micronucleated erythrocytes (polychromatic erythrocytes + normochromatic erythrocytes), significant increase in CA frequency, and significant decrease in the ratio of polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N) ratio were observed at the 4.7 and 9.4 mg/kg b.wt. dose levels. A significant increase in SHA was observed in all treatment groups (2.35, 4.7, and 9.4 mg/kg b.wt.) from the control group. In conclusion, anilofos exposure of 2% and 4% of MTD caused a higher rate of micronucleated erythrocytes, increased frequency of CA, increase in SHA, and lower P/N ratio, and pesticide exposure of 1% of MTD only resulted in higher SHAs. Thus, anilofos was found to have mutagenic potential in mice when administered daily orally at dose rate of 4.7 and 9.4 mg/kg b.wt. for 90 days.

Assessment of acetamiprid-induced genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino male mice.

Acetamiprid (ACE), a neonicotinoid insecticide, is widely used in agriculture either alone or in combination with other insecticides. A combined approach employing micronucleus test (MNT) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) assay was utilized to assess the genotoxic effects of ACE in bone marrow of Swiss albino male mice. Acetamiprid was administered i.p. daily at 4.6 and 2.3 mg/kg/day along with 3% gum acacia as negative control for 60 and 90 days and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg b.wt.) as positive control. ACE treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the frequencies of micronuclei per cell and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells. The increased micronuclei formation in total erythrocyte cells (immature PCEs and mature NCEs) was observed only at higher dose level (4.6 mg/kg b.wt.) administered for 90 days. The test also indicated the cytotoxic effect of higher dose level of pesticide by PCE/NCE ratio. The number of chromosomal aberrations were increased in the pesticide treated group compared to the negative control group, although significant increase was observed only in the group exposed to higher dose level of pesticide for both 60 and 90 days. Thus, daily exposure of ACE at a dose level of 4.6 mg/kg body weight for 60 and 90 days caused genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on the somatic cells of Swiss albino male mice.

Assessment of imidacloprid-induced mutagenic effects in somatic cells of Swiss albino male mice.

Pesticides are being used for plant protection to increase food protection and to reduce insect-borne diseases worldwide. Exposure to the pesticides may cause genotoxic effects on both the target and nontarget organisms, including man. Therefore, the mutagenicity evaluation of such pesticides has become a priority area of research. Imidacloprid (IMI), a neonicotinoid insecticide, is widely used in agriculture either alone or in combination with other insecticides. A combined approach employing micronucleus test (MNT) and chromosomal aberrations assay (CA) was utilized to assess the mutagenicity of imidacloprid in bone marrow of Swiss albino male mice. IMI suspension was prepared in 3% gum acacia and administered at doses of 5.5, 11 and 22 mg/kg body weight for 7, 14 and 28 days to mice. IMI treatment resulted in a dose and time-dependant increase in the frequencies of micronuclei per cell and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells. A statistically significant increase in chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei/cell was found only after daily treatment of IMI at highest selected dose (22 mg/kg body weight) for longest selected time period (28 days) compared to the control group. Thus, daily exposure of imidacloprid at a dose level of 22 mg/kg body weight for 28 days caused mutagenic effects on the somatic cells of Swiss albino male mice.