Genetic Effects of Pesticides in the Mammalian Cells: I. Induction of Micronucleus

In order to evaluate the mutagenic potential in animal for these pesticides which were proved to be mutagenic in the bacterial screening system with a metabolic activation in vitro, we have studied in vivo cytogenetic effects on mouse bone marrow by means of the micronucleus test. The clastogenic activity of the chemical is evaluated as the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes. We have tested six pesticides, insecticides, DDVP and trichlorfon, fungicide, TMTD, herbicides, NIP and MO and growth regula색, maleic hydrazide. It was found that among the tested pesticides only TMTD exhibited minimal activity in inducing micronuclei. Organophosphorus insecticide DDVP that is the most broadly used and economically important chemical, did not increase the micronuclei frequencies in mouse bone marrow cells as with the all other pesticides tested.