Chaetophractus villosus as a sentinel organism: Basal values of mitotic index, chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchange.

ROSSI LF, ; LUACES JP, ; CHIRINO MG, ; MUDRY MD,; MERANI MS

Bs.As.

Congreso; CONGRESO SETAC; 2015

SETAC Argentina

The large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractusvillosus)isan endemic mammal with a broader distribution in Argentina. Its distribution overlaps with regions of intensive agricultural activity. Consequently, some agrochemicals released to the environment may induce genetic alterations in this mammal. Up to the moment, no studies had been made concerning the possibility to apply biomarkers of genotoxiceffect in C. villosus,as a consequence to the environmental action. The aim of this study was to determine the baseline values of genetic damage in this native species, in order to establish its suitability as a sentinel organism for monitoring environmentalpesticide hazard.Cytotoxic (mitoticindex (MI), index of blast formation (BI), replication index (RI)), and genotoxic biomarkers (percentage of chromosome aberrations (CA) and frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE)) were analyzed on peripheral blood lymphocytes culture. The MI, BI, and CA were performed in a total of 20 adults (10 females and 10 males) from different localities along the endemic species distribution [Bahía Blanca (n=2), GeneralMadariaga (n=1), Loma Verde (n=3), Monteverde (n=4), Navarro (n=2), Pellegrini (n=1), Pipinas (n=1), Saladillo (n=3), and Santo Domingo (n=3)].Also, from 6 adults (3 females and 3 males)chosen randomlyRI (counted in 1,000 cells) and SCE (counted in 30 cells) were carried out. Values for positive control were establishedadding 0.3 μg/ml of mitomycin C to the culture after 24 h of incubation.Our results show in all studied individualsthat BI (86.8± 5.59 blast cells/total cells), MI (2.9± 1.37 metaphases/total cells) andCA (1.5±0.84%)presentstatistically no significant differences respect to ourhistorical controls(t=0.65, P=0.52, t=0.67, P=0.51 andt=0.49, P=0.62respectively). RI was 1.7± 0.1and the frequency of SCE was 7.4± 1.3/cell. All the biomarkers evaluated are quite stable among armadillos.These findings confirm the value of these short term tests as accurate screening tools for the evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxiceffects in C. villosus. Thisis the first reference of the application of these biomarkers in C. villosus and first in wild Xenarthrafrom Argentina.C. villosus may be considered a good biological model as sentinel organism in their natural distribution in order to monitor genotoxicxenobiotics as pesticides.