CLASTOGENIC EFFECTS OF COPPER-SULFATE IN CHICK IN-VIVO TEST SYSTEM

The clastogenic potential of copper sulphate was evaluated in chicks, employing chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus test (MNT) assay s. For CA dose, route, time-response and acute vs. subacute studies ha ve been done while only route and dose-response studies were done for MNT. Three different doses were administered intraperitoneally, and on ly the highest dose was administered per oral. Neonatal chicks were ki lled after different time intervals. One-fifth of the highest dose was injected repeatedly with a gap of 24 h in-between for sub-acute regim en. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase of CA was observed by the two higher doses in i.p. route and by the highest dose in p.o. route. In time-response studies, significant (p < 0.05) results were obtained after 24 and 48 h of exposures. A significant increase in mic ronucleus counts was also observed with the two higher doses in both b one marrow and peripheral blood erythrocytes by the i.p. route and onl y by the highest dose in bone marrow erythrocytes by the p.o. route. T he present results reveal the genotoxic potential of CuSO4 in chick in vivo.