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Application of comet assay in the study of DNA damage and recovery in rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings after an exposure to phorate, an organophosphate pesticide

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Abstract

Labeo rohita (rohu) fingerlings were exposed to different concentrations (0.001, 0.002 and 0.01 ppm) of phorate, an organophosphate pesticide; samplings were done at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The study was carried out to evaluate tissue specific genotoxic effects produced by phorate, on three different tissue systems and to assess DNA repair response in fish. Results of tissue specific DNA damage experiments showed low baseline damage in blood cells followed by gill and liver cells in control individuals whereas more DNA breaks were found in liver followed by gill and blood cells of treated individuals. Concentrations-dependent DNA damage showed a strong, linear and positive relationship (r2 = >0.7) in all three tissues. Clear time-related increase in DNA damage was observed for all tissues exposed to all concentrations except in liver cells at 0.01 ppm, where the DNA damage declined significantly after 72 h. For the assessment of DNA repair response, fingerlings were first exposed to 0.01 ppm of phorate for 72 h and then transferred to pesticide free water. Tissue chosen for the repair experiment was liver. Samplings were done at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the release of 72 h pesticide treated fishes into pesticide free water. Fishes showed a reduction in DNA breaks from 3 h onwards in pesticide free water and at 24 h returned to control level damage. The results indicate that phorate is a potential genotoxicant, comet assay can be used in DNA damage and repair analysis, response to pollutants in multicellular animals is often tissue specific.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. R. K. Jana, former acting director of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar and the authorities of North Orissa University (NOU), Baripada, for providing facilities and scope in carrying out the experiments. The authors are also grateful to Mr. S. K. Garnayak, Mr. S. K. Rath and Mr. S. D. Jena for their unconditional help and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, North Orissa University, Baripada, 757003, Orissa, India

    G. Mohanty

  2. Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, 751002, India

    J. Mohanty & S. Mohanty

  3. Government Science College, Chatrapur, 761020, Orissa, India

    A. K. Nayak

  4. Department of Zoology, North Orissa University, Baripada, 757003, Orissa, India

    S. K. Dutta

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  1. G. Mohanty
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  4. S. Mohanty
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Correspondence to G. Mohanty.

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Mohanty, G., Mohanty, J., Nayak, A.K. et al. Application of comet assay in the study of DNA damage and recovery in rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings after an exposure to phorate, an organophosphate pesticide. Ecotoxicology 20, 283–292 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-010-0580-2

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