Chromosomal aberrations in resident small mammals at a petrochemical waste dump site: a natural model for analysis of environmental mutagenesis. [Peromyscus leucopus; Sigmodon hispidus]

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5781070

McBee, K

Small mammals of two species (Peromyscus leucopus and Sigmodon hispidus) were trapped at a locality polluted with a complex mixture of petrochemical waste products, heavy metals, and PCB's, and from two matched, uncontaminated localities. Three cytogenetic techniques were employed to evaluate the use of these resident small mammals as indicators of environmental mutagenesis. Each technique also was assessed for its power of resolution in characterizing the action of environmental mutagens. Standard karyological analysis of flow cytometric analysis clearly indicated significant differences in chromosomal aberrancy between animals collected at the polluted site and the uncontaminated sites. Examination of flow DNA histograms of Peromyscus from the polluted site revealed broadened and flattened G/sub 1/ peaks and increases in CVs (coefficients of variation) for DNA content. CVs in animals from the polluted site consistently fell outside confidence limits set around values from animals collected at the uncontaminated site. These patterns are characteristically seen in laboratory animals challenged with powerful clastogens which suggests that individuals at the polluted site may be experiencing similar clastogenic events. This study demonstrates that small mammals are a feasible test model for evaluating environmental mutagenesis. Evaluation of different cytogenetic techniques suggests that a battery of several assays will provide the most accurate characterization of the action of environmental mutagenesis.

• OSTI ID: 5781070
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CONTAMINATION
DNA
GENETIC EFFECTS
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MUTAGENESIS
MUTATIONS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WILD ANIMALS