Genotoxic effect of an organophosphorus pesticide "Ethephon"on somatic and germ cells of male mice

Nada, H. A. Al-Twaty and Saleha Y. M. Alakilli

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P .O. Box 42613- Jeddah 215 51 Saudi Arabia.

Corresponding Author E-mail: ntwaty@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphoric acid] is an organophosphorus pesticide “herbicide”. Ethephon was tested for its genotoxic effect in both somatic (bone marrow) and germ (spermatocytes) cells of male mice. Three different dose levels (192, 240 & 480 mg/kg body weight representing 1/10, 1/8, 1/4 from the LD50) were orally administrated in male mice weighted 20-25 gm. An increase in chromosomal aberrations (structural & numerical) was observed in most treatment with ethephon in both somatic and gametic cells. In bone marrow cells, the significant structural chromosome aberrations were in the form of chromatid gaps & breaks, deletions, fragments and centric fusion, while in spermatocytes were in the form of chain, autosome univalent and x-y univalent. On the other hand, the numerical aberrations, such as aneuploidy (hypoploidy 2n- and hyperploidy 2n+), were below the significant level. Concerning the sperm shape abnormalities, there was no significant increase over the control groups. These observed results were attributed to the alkylating potency of the organophosphorus pesticide “herbicide” and also to its cytotoxic effects. From this study, it is possible to conclude that ethephon has clastogenic effects. The very scarce available information on mutagenicity of ethephon, in spite of its widespread use, emphasizes the need for further mutagenicity and carcinogenicity testing of this pesticide.

KEYWORDS: Genotoxic; Organophosphorus pesticide; Ethephon; Mice.

[ HTML Full Text]