Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes of parrots (Aratinga canicularis) related to genotoxic damage

Abstract

Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes, as micronuclei and nuclear buds (BE), are considered potential biomarkers of genotoxic exposure. We described previously the frequency of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in the species Aratinga canicularis. Here, we have used this species to evaluate the induction of MNE and BE by mitomycin-C. Animals were given a single intracoelomic injection of 0, 2, 3 or 4 mg/kg mitomycin-C on two consecutive days. A drop of blood was obtained after 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, and stained smears were used to count micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) and polychromatic erythrocytes with buds (BPCE)/1000 polychromatic erythrocytes. The number of MNE and BE in 10 000 total erythrocytes was also counted. MNPCE and BPCE frequencies were elevated at 24, 48, and 72 h after the administration of the lower dose (P B/0.03). At a 3 mg/kg dose, the frequency of MNPCE increased at 48 and 72 h (P B/0.04) whereas the number of BPCE increased, but not significantly. Administration of 4 mg/kg mitomycin-C increased the number of MNE observed at 72 h (P B/0.03), the number of MNPCE at 48 h (P B/0.01) and 72 h (P B/0.006), the BE frequency at 72 h (P B/0.05), and the frequency of BPCE at 48 and 72 h (P B/0.001). While mitomycin-C appears to produce a parallel increase in MNPCE and BPCE frequencies, the MNE seemed to be a more sensitive indicator of genotoxicity than the BE. This suggests that evaluating BE and MNE in routine haematological analysis should be considered to evaluate environmental genotoxic exposure.

Evaluation of Anti-Cytotoxic and Anti-Genotoxic Effects of Nigella sativa through a Micronucleus Test in BALB/c Mice

“…There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) throughout the experiment (Table 1), in comparison with the control group which is not cytotoxic. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of CP (2 mg/kg) was seen within three statistical differences, between days 1-3, as can be seen in Figure 2, where there is a decrease in the frequency of PCE [47]. This means that there was myelosuppression caused by CP.…”

Evaluation of micronucleus and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities in Balkan whip snake Hierophis gemonensis

“…In fish, both micronuclei and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities also appear spontaneously and their frequency can be seasonally dependent (Bolognesi et al 2006;Jiraungkoorskul et al 2008;Strunjak-Perovic et al 2009). In other nonmammalian species the occurrence of nuclear abnormalities were recorded in birds (Gómez-Meda et al 2006), amphibian (Barni et al 2007;Marques et al 2009) and some reptilian species (Zúñiga-González et al 2000). Moreover, similar anomalies were observed in fibroblasts, osteosarcoma cell line exposed to irradiation, and different tumor types (mesenchymal as well as epithelial) regardless the grade of malignancy (Gisselsson et al 2001), folic acid deficient human lymphocytes (Fenech and Crott 2002) and laminopathies (Jacob and Garg 2006;Mattout et al 2006;Vigouroux et al 2001).…”

Seabird Embryos as Biomonitors of Micronucleogenic Genotoxic Agents: Potential Application for the Coasts of Mexico

“…For example, in a multi-species study, the orange-fronted parakeet (Aratinga canicularis) and the barn owl (Tyto alba) had the highest EMN frequencies of animals in zoological parks and poultry production units (Zúñiga-González et al, 2000). From these results, an experimental study was conducted on the orange-fronted parakeet to evaluate its potential as a biomonitor of genotoxicity, and it was concluded that individuals treated with genotoxic mitomycin C showed a significant increase in the frequency of EMN compared to individuals in the control group (Gómez-Meda et al, 2006). Similarly, the herring gull (Larus argentatus) had a higher frequency of EMN than those found for other species of birds bred in captivity (Zúñiga et al, 1996;Zúñiga-González et al, 2000), which was attributed to the gulls being exposed to genotoxic agents on the coasts of Sweden and Iceland.…”