Monitoring genotoxicity in freshwater microcrustaceans: A new application of the micronucleus assay.

We have applied the micronucleus (MN) assay to the measurement of genotoxicity in microcrustaceans. Daphnids (Daphnia magna) and Copepods (Acanthocyclops robustus) were collected in situ and acclimated in the lab for 24h. The MN assay was successful with the Daphnids but not with the Copepods.

In vitro and in vivo induction of chromosome aberrations by alpha- and beta-zearalenols: comparison with zearalenone.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi. It contaminates different components of the food chain and can cause serious economic and public health problems. The major metabolites of ZEN in various animal species are alpha- and beta-zearalenol (α-, β-ZOL).

Single and combined genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of two xenobiotics widely used in intensive aquaculture.

Several chemicals are used in aquaculture to prevent or to treat disease outbreaks. These substances are mainly administered by two different routes: by prolonged immersion or by mixing into the diet. In the case of intensive aquaculture, the chemicals that are most frequently applied by immersion are formaldehyde (FA) 37% and oxytetracycline (OTC).

Comparative study of toxic effects of zearalenone and its two major metabolites alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol on cultured human Caco-2 cells.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fusarotoxin converted predominantly into alpha-zearalenol (alpha-Zol) and beta-zearalenol (beta-Zol) by hepatic hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The feeding of naturally contaminated grains with ZEN was associated with hyperestrogenic and adverse effects on humans and animals. There is a lack of information on the attribution of the toxic effects of these toxins.

Isothiocyanate from the Tunisian radish (Raphanus sativus) prevents genotoxicity of Zearalenone in vivo and in vitro.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a naturally occurring contaminant of animal feed that has been implicated in several mycotoxicoses in farm livestock. Recently some information has become available indicating that ZEN caused cancer or at least increased its prevalence, although the mechanism of action is unknown. Many papers mentioned that exposure to ZEN results in genotoxicity and DNA damage.