The Investigation of Clastogenic Effects of α-Endosulfan and β-Endosulfan on Spraque–Dawley Rats by Micronucleus Test Method

Abstract

My study’s importance is the investigation of the clastogenic effects of endosulfan isomers (α and β endosulfan), on Spraque - Dawley male albino rats by the micronucleus test system. One sixth and 1 / 12 of intraperitonal Lethal Dose_{_50} for α - endosulfan (12 mg / kg and 6 mg / kg), and 1 / 12 and 1 / 24 of intraperitonal Lethal Dose_{_50} for β - endosulfan (20 mg / kg and 10 mg / kg) were used in the study. The rats intraperitoneally injected with insecticides were killed by cervical dislocation after 72 h of the last application. The preparations were made from the smears of the femoral bone marrow and then examined under the light microscope. The erythrocyte count in the preparations was performed by whole-region scanning in each preparation; 1000 erythrocytes were counted in every preparation. Polychromatic erythrocytes, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes were counted in the control and treatment groups. In the groups given α - endosulfan and β - endosulfan, a statistically significant increase was found in the numbers of polychromatic erythrocytes and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. Also, a significant increase was observed in the number of micronuclei. An increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes is an indication of clastogenic effect, which has a negative influence on both individuals and their future generations. In conclusion, the present study showed that α and β isomers of endosulfan exert a clastogenic effect in the bone marrow leading to toxicity in rats.

Keywords: Bone marrow, Endosulfan isomers, Polychromatic erythrocytes, Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, Normochromatic erythrocytes.