engleski

DNA integrity of chub erythrocytes (Leuciscus cephalus L.) as an indicator of pollution-related genotoxicity in the River Sava

In this study the genotoxic potential of the three sampling sites with different pollution intensity in the River Sava, near Zagreb, capital of Croatia was investigated. For that purpose alkaline comet assay and micronucleus test (MNT) were carried out on erythrocytes of European chub, Leuciscus cephalus L., collected in spring (March, April) and autumn (September) in 2005 and 2006. Site Otok Samoborski, upstream of Zagreb, was chosen as the least polluted, while the other two downstream sites were moderately (Zagreb) or highly polluted (Oborovo). The results of comet assay showed the lowest genotoxic influence at site Otok Samoborski, while higher DNA damage was observed at polluted sites Zagreb and Oborovo in both investigated years. In 2005 the level of DNA damage was much higher in spring than in autumn for all three sites, while in 2006 an increase in DNA damage was observed at more polluted sites Zagreb and Oborovo from March to September. The lowest cytogenetic damage as revealed by the MNT was again observed at the site Otok Samoborski. High variations in MN frequency are observed between sampling periods, although number of micronucleated erythrocytes was consistently the highest at polluted site Zagreb. Induction of cytogenetic damage was observed by the MNT in erythrocytes of chub from the Oborovo site only in March 2005. In conclusion, obtained results were indicative of different pollution burden of the three monitored sites. Also, both assays showed correlation with pollution intensity and therefore are good indicators of pollution-related genotoxicity of the Sava River.

DNA integrity; erythrocytes; chub; biomonitoring

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