title: Assessment of genotoxicity in female agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to determine the genotoxic effect of exposure to a mixture of pesticides in 106 female agricultural workers employed in cotton fields from India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations tests were carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Micronucleus test was also performed in buccal epithelial cells. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, RBC acetylcholinesterase and hematological parameters were analyzed in the blood samples of the study subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated significant DNA damage, increased frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in the exposed subjects (p < 0.05). The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lowered and the rate of lipid peroxidation was elevated in the exposed subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of the study revealed an increased risk of genotoxicity and health implications in female agricultural workers.
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: Rekhadevi
authors: R
authors: Perumalla Venkata
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Rahman
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mahboob
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Indu Kumari
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: Srinivas
authors: S
authors: Chinde
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: Bhanuramya
authors: B
authors: M
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: Naresh
authors: N
authors: Dumala
authors: a Toxicology Unit, Biology Division , Indian Institute of Chemical Technology , Hyderabad , Telangana , India.
authors: Paramjit
authors: P
authors: Grover
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010575:Pesticides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010575:Pesticides; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: Pesticide exposure; cotton farming; female agricultural workers; genetic damage; oxidative stress