Genotoxic effect of potassium dicromate in peripheral blood erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia)

Abstract

Due multiple reports of the genotoxic and carcinogenic effect of chromium VI and the permanent exposure of the human beings to this element. Objective. Contributing new evidence of the genotoxicity of potassium dichromate using the biological system Oreochromis niloticus “tilapia” through the micronucleus test and the nuclear quantification of buds in erythrocytes of peripheral blood. Material and methods. The individuals were exposed to increasing concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 ppm) of potassium dichromate. Peripheral blood samples of the branchial arc of each individual were taken at 3th and 7th day of treatment which were processed and colored with Giemsa 5%, erythrocytes in peripheral blood with micronuclei and nuclear buds were quantified. Results. A significant increase of frequencies of micronucleus and nuclear buds in the exposed individuals were registered which were directly proportional to the potassium dichromate concentration (p<0.05). Conclusions. Potassium dichromate caused genetic damage in the cells of O. niloticus.