title: Detection of DNA damage in mouse peripheral blood leukocytes by the comet assay after oral administration of monocrotophos.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine if single/double strand DNA breaks could be induced by monocrotophos (organophosphorus pesticide) in mice in vivo using the comet assay. Mice were dosed orally with 0.046, 0.093, 0.186, 0.373 and 0.746 mg/kg body weight of monocrotophos, and the assay was performed on whole blood after 24, 48 and 72 h. A significant increase in mean comet tail length indicating DNA damage was observed at 24 and 48 h post-treatment with monocrotophos when compared to controls. A decrease in the mean tail length was observed at 72 h post-treatment indicating repair of the damaged DNA. The mean tail length showed a dose-related increase and time dependent decrease. The study reveals that comet assay is a sensitive and rapid method to detect genotoxicity of monocrotophos.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahboob
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Danadevi
authors.forename: B Saleha
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Banu
authors.forename: Paramjit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grover
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008999:Monocrotophos / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D010575:Pesticides; D008999:Monocrotophos; D004247:DNA