MICRONUCLEUS TEST IN THE PERIPHERAL ERYTHROCYTES OF AN INDIAN CARP, LABEO ROHITA (HAMILTON)

The micronucles test, principally followed in mammals has been conducted in the peripheral erythrocytes of blood smears of an Indian calp, L. rohita, in separate sets after treatments with an anti-metabolite chemosterilant, d-glucoseamine hydrochloride; an organochlorine insecticide, aldrin; an organophosphorous insecticide, cythion; a heavy metallic compound, cadmium chloride and X-rays. The blood smears were stained generally in Leishman followed by Giemsa and sometimes Feulgen. The affected erythrocytes of different treated specimens showed the occurrence of roundish micronucleus in the cytoplasm close to or completely free from the main nucleus, but the frequency was not very high. The micronuclei were absent in the control series. Inspite of limitations the micronucleus test in the peripheral blood of fishes is the quickest means of evaluating genotoxic agents in aquatic environment.