SPONTANEOUS MICRONUCLEI IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD ERYTHROCYTES FROM 35 MAMMALIAN-SPECIES

In this paper we report the results of a study to determine the freque ncies of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in peripheral b lood of 35 mammalian species. The main goal was to find mammals with a high spontaneous frequency of MNE that could, therefore, be good cand idates for biomonitoring genotoxic agents in their natural habitat. We obtained 187 peripheral blood samples, but in 13 of the species we co uld only sample one individual. A wide range in the number of MNE (1/4 34 to 0/40 000 erythrocytes) was observed. Since the number of individ uals per species is not high enough, this results should be cautiously considered. The cat, mouse, giraffe, pig, opossum and capuchin monkey seem to be suitable species for biomonitoring for genotoxic events.