P-32 POSTLABELING DETECTION OF DNA-ADDUCTS IN MICE TREATED WITH THE HERBICIDE ROUNDUP

Roundup is a postemergence herbicide acting on the synthesis of amino acids and other important endogenous chemicals in plants. Roundup is c ommonly used in agriculture, forestry, and nurseries For the control o r destruction of most herbaceous plants. The present study shows that Roundup is able to induce a dose-dependent formation of DNA adducts in the kidneys and liver of mice. The levels of Roundup-related DNA addu cts observed in mouse kidneys and liver at the highest dose of herbici de tested (600 mg/kg) were 3.0 +/- 0.1 (SE) and 1.7 +/- 0.1 (SE) adduc ts/10(8) nucleotides, respectively. The Roundup DNA adducts were not r elated to the active ingredient, the isopropylammonium salt of glyphos ate, but to another, unknown component of the herbicide mixture. Addit ional experiments are needed to identify the chemical specie(s) of Rou ndup mixture involved in DNA adduct formation. Findings of this study may help to protect agricultural workers from health hazards and provi de a basis For risk assessment. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.