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Assessment of Genotoxicity in Gonads, Liver and Gills of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) by Use of the Comet Assay and Micronucleus Test after In Vivo Exposure to Methyl Methanesulfonate

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Abstract

Since generative tissues are a link between the generations, the detection of genetic damage in testis and ovary of fish is conductive to elucidating the relationship between genotoxicity and impairment of reproduction. In the current study, exposure of zebrafish to methyl methanesulfonate over two weeks caused concentration dependent genotoxic effects in gonads, liver and gills using the alkaline comet assay. Likewise, the micronucleus frequency was elevated in all of these organs. Thus, the comet assay and the micronucleus test proved appropriate for the detection of genotoxicity in primary male and female gonad cells and histological sections of the gonads from zebrafish, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

The first author wishes to express his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Henner Hollert for co-supervision and to the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) for a PhD scholarship.

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  1. Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Section, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Christopher Faßbender & Thomas Braunbeck

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  1. Christopher Faßbender
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  2. Thomas Braunbeck
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Correspondence to Christopher Faßbender.

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Faßbender, C., Braunbeck, T. Assessment of Genotoxicity in Gonads, Liver and Gills of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) by Use of the Comet Assay and Micronucleus Test after In Vivo Exposure to Methyl Methanesulfonate. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 91, 89–95 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-013-1007-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-013-1007-6

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