Sister Chromatid Exchange as an Indicator of Short Term Chemical Stress in Aquatic Systems

摘要

The practicality was examined of the use of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) as a means of assaying, in vivo, the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic substances in aquatic systems. The central mudminnow, Umbra limi, was exposed to varying concentrations of insecticides Endrin, Chlordane (chlorinated hydrocarbons), Guthion, and Diazinon (organophosphates), and the known mutagen Mitromycin C (MMC). Exposure was followed by in vivo determination of SCE frequencies. Endrin, Chlordane and Diazinon caused significant increases in SCE over controls while Guthion did not. These results indicate the potential of in vivo exposure and SCE frequency determination as a bioassay for the presence of DNA damaging pollutants in natural waters.