Examination of Mutagenic Effects of GAL-57 Herbicide (Bentazone+Dicamba) Using Mouse Micronucleus Test

Abstract

A micronucleus test was run to investigate mutagenic potential of the herbicide GAL-57, a formulated mixture of bentazone and dicamba.The test was applied to mice of both sexes (strain: CRL: NMRI BR) and the herbicide (product) was administered by gavage at 2000 mg/kg rate, twice within 24 hs. Cyclophosphamide (positive control) was administered at 60 mg/kg, while distilled water as a solvent was negative control. The animals were sacrificed 24 hs after second treatment, their bone marrow cells isolated from femur, and effects evaluated.The data acquired showed that repeated treatment of mice with GAL-57 caused neither biological nor significant statistical increase in the number of micronuclei in treated animals. At the same time, the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of animals treated with cyclophosphamide (positive control) showed a significant statistical increase. The results suggest that the herbicide product tested did not show any mutagenic activity under the conditions of mouse micronucleus test.

Keywords

• GAL-57
• Bentazone
• Dikamba
• Mutagenicity
• Micronucleus test