The micronucleus test in pigs: induction of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes by various doses of X-rays

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a study in which pigs were used in the bone marrow micronucleus assay. In a first experiment the spontaneous frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE) among polychromatic erythrocytes (PE) was investigated in 78 animals. It was found that it is low with individual values of 0–4 MPE/1000 PE and a group average of 1.76 ± 1.06% ( x ̄ ± SD ). In a second set of investigations animals were exposed to 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.25 and 2.75 Gy of 9-MeV X-irradiation performed as a single whole-body exposure. Time- and dose-dependent changes in micronucleus incidence were observed. Maximal group averages appeared nearly uniform 36 h post irradiation (p.i.). Considering the 36-h values in the dose range of 0–2.25 Gy there is a marked dose-effect relationship ( r = 0.971). The data yield best to a regression curve of a third-grade polynomial indicating a complex interaction between dose and micronucleus formation. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that it appears feasible to use swine as target organisms in the micronucleus test to estimate the cytogenetic damage caused by ionizing radiations or, potentially, chemical compounds.