Ultraviolet radiation-induced genotoxic effects in the broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris.

SCHAUMBURG, L.G., G.L. POLETTA,A. IMHOF AND P.A. SIROSKI

MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam, The Netherland ; Año: 2010 vol. 700 p. 67 - 70

1383-5718

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has many positive effects, but overexposure of organism can generate alterations in DNA, either directly or indirectly, inducing mutagenic and citotoxic lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of UVA-B/visible ligth in the broad snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), using the micronucleus test (MN) as biomarker.Seventy two juvenile caiman, approximately 5 months old, were maintained for during 3 months under total darkness (TD), or under 8 or 16 h of daily exposure to artificial UV/visible ligth. MN test was applied before and after the experiment and the difference in MN frequencies was determined. Our results indicates significant increases in MN fequency with all tretaments, compred to basal (before experiment) values. Animals exposed to UV radiation showed a greater increase in MN frequency, compared to the animals exposed to TD treatment. These results provide information about the possible harmful effects generated by sub-chronic exposure to UVR in zoos, reptile hobbyst and breeding programs, as well as the deleterious consequences of increased UV environmental impact on wild species such as the broad-snouted caiman.