Assessment of acetamiprid-induced genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino male mice

Acetamiprid (ACE), a neonicotinoid insecticide, is widely used in agriculture either alone or in combination with other insecticides. A combined approach employing micronucleus test (MNT) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) assay was utilized to assess the genotoxic effects of ACE in bone marrow of Swiss albino male mice. Acetamiprid was administered i.p. daily at 4.6 and 2.3 mg/kg/day along with 3% gum acacia as negative control for 60 and 90 days and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg b.wt.) as positive control. ACE treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the frequencies of micronuclei per cell and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells. The increased micronuclei formation in total erythrocyte cells (immature PCEs and mature NCEs) was observed only at higher dose level (4.6 mg/kg b.wt.) administered for 90 days. The test also indicated the cytotoxic effect of higher dose level of pesticide by PCE/NCE ratio. The number of chromosomal aberrations were increased in the pesticide treated group compared to the negative control group, although significant increase was observed only in the group exposed to higher dose level of pesticide for both 60 and 90 days. Thus, daily exposure of ACE at a dose level of 4.6 mg/kg body weight for 60 and 90 days caused genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on the somatic cells of Swiss albino male mice.