Evaluation of chromosomal damage by flow cytometry in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) exposed to fuel oil.

Flatfishes, turbots (Scophthalmus maximus), were injected intraperitoneally with two doses of fuel oil number 2. Biliary metabolites were evaluated by fixed fluorescence to verify the efficiency of intoxication. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was compared with chromosomal damage measured by flow cytometry. The analysis of biliary metabolites showed a good dose-response relation and constitutes a clear reference for the subsequent measurements. Comparing flow cytometry and EROD results, a shorter delay of response for EROD activity was obtained, but chromosomal damage was significant only after one week. The persistence of the EROD response was shorter, while the genotoxic signal still persisted after one month. The measurement of chromosomal damage allowed a good differentiation between the two tested doses. In the case of EROD activity, the results were less clear. The results suggest that within a few weeks after exposure to fuel oil number 2, the measurements of chromosomal damage by flow cytometry can be used to detect a dose-dependent genotoxic response in fish.