1Department of Zoology, GC Women University Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan
* Corresponding author: faiza_zool@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to examine the DNA damage induced by pesticide mixture (endosulfan+chlorpyrifos) in peripheral blood erythrocytes of freshwater fish, Oreochromis niloticus by using Comet assay. The 96-h LC50 value of pesticide mixture was estimated for 180-old fingerlings of O. niloticusin a static system and then four sub-lethal concentrations viz. 1/3rd of LC50, 1/4th of LC50, 1/5th of LC50 and 1/6th of LC50 were calculated and fish were exposed to these concentrations, separately in glass aquaria for 70 days at constant laboratory conditions. Peripheral blood erythrocytes were taken on 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 day of exposure for the DNA damage assessment in-terms of percentage of damaged cells. In general, a dose dependent response was observed in fish erythrocytes with induction of maximum DNA damage at highest concentration (1/3rd of LC50) of pesticide mixture. Statistically significant effects for both concentrations and time of exposure in terms of DNA damage were observed in treated fish as compared to control group. The results supported the use of Comet assay for evaluating the toxicity of pollutants which may be used as part of environmental monitoring programs.
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