Mutagenicity studies of herbicide nicosulfuron in the mice bone marrow micronucleus assay

Abstract

Our laboratory of mutagenesis is conducting research on the genotoxicity of chemicals in the battery test systems. Studies carried out in accordance with the requirements of GLP. One of the metods used by the laboratory is mammalian in vivo erythrocyte micronucleus test (OECD 474). We explored 3 samples of active ingredients of herbicide nicosulfuron from different manufactures. These samples were generic and had various percentages. Mutagenicity studies examined on CD1 healthy young adult mice, males, which weight was 18-20 g and acclimated to the laboratory conditions for at least five days. The test substance was administered as an aqueous emulsion, once orally. Every samples studied in three doses 2500, 250, 25 mg kg-1 and accompanied with positive and negative controls. The time of exposure was24 hours. As a result of studies of all of testing samples of nicosulfuron mutagenic effect was not found. However, in high concentrations of test chemicals, it was noted increase of frequency of micronucleus in polychromatic erythrocytes was not significant in comparison to the negative control. The relationship between the frequency of micronuclei, the percentage and impurities is not observed.