Determination of genotoxic stress in feral populations of bullheads and carp using the alkaline single cell gel assay.
type: CreativeWork
description: Monitoring genotoxicity of the environment using endemic organisms as sentinels requires the development of sensitive assays. Towards this end, I explored the feasibility of applying the ALKALINE SINGLE CELL GEL (SCG) or "COMET" ASSAY. This approach involves detection, under alkaline conditions, of cell DNA fragments which on electrophoresis migrate from the nuclear core resulting in a 'comet with tail' formation. The length of the tail has been correlated with the level of genotoxicant exposure in a number of organisms. The fish used in this study were benthic feeding bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). In preliminary studies, on electrophoresis of erythrocyte DNA under alkaline conditions I found a linear increase in the DNA length:width ratio over a broad range of cyclophosphamide (a clastogen) doses. Subsequent examination of two direct acting mutagenic agents (methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)), two indirect acting mutagens (benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)) and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and two cell cycle specific agents (methotrexate (MTX) and colchicine) over a range of doses showed that all, except the lower methotrexate concentration, resulted in significant (p $<$ 0.001) DNA damage in fish erythrocytes. Freshly caught bullheads from seven different sites showed a wide range of DNA damage. Bullheads from Big Creek (western Lake Erie), Hamilton Harbour (western Lake Ontario) and a number of sites along the Detroit River gave ratios v ranging from 3.36 to 4.65. Samples from Lake St. Clair, Thames River, Lake Huron and Port Franks gave ratios ranging from 1.30 to 2.19. Fish from a hatchery in Brockport, New York, gave ratios between 1.35 and 1.40. Based on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels, the sediment at the Detroit River sites is considered to be heavily polluted. Bullheads from Big Creek, maintained in the laboratory for three months, gave ratios which dr…
abstract: Monitoring genotoxicity of the environment using endemic organisms as sentinels requires the development of sensitive assays. Towards this end, I explored the feasibility of applying the ALKALINE SINGLE CELL GEL (SCG) or "COMET" ASSAY. This approach involves detection, under alkaline conditions, of cell DNA fragments which on electrophoresis migrate from the nuclear core resulting in a 'comet with tail' formation. The length of the tail has been correlated with the level of genotoxicant exposure in a number of organisms. The fish used in this study were benthic feeding bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). In preliminary studies, on electrophoresis of erythrocyte DNA under alkaline conditions I found a linear increase in the DNA length:width ratio over a broad range of cyclophosphamide (a clastogen) doses. Subsequent examination of two direct acting mutagenic agents (methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)), two indirect acting mutagens (benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)) and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and two cell cycle specific agents (methotrexate (MTX) and colchicine) over a range of doses showed that all, except the lower methotrexate concentration, resulted in significant (p $<$ 0.001) DNA damage in fish erythrocytes. Freshly caught bullheads from seven different sites showed a wide range of DNA damage. Bullheads from Big Creek (western Lake Erie), Hamilton Harbour (western Lake Ontario) and a number of sites along the Detroit River gave ratios v ranging from 3.36 to 4.65. Samples from Lake St. Clair, Thames River, Lake Huron and Port Franks gave ratios ranging from 1.30 to 2.19. Fish from a hatchery in Brockport, New York, gave ratios between 1.35 and 1.40. Based on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels, the sediment at the Detroit River sites is considered to be heavily polluted. Bullheads from Big Creek, maintained in the laboratory for three months, gave ratios which dr…
author: Pandrangi, Raj Gopal.
language: en_CA
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
date published: 1997-01-01
date modified: 2026-07-27T22:04:38Z
provider: University of Windsor
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Windsor

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14776/1259