SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES IN SHEEP PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTES AFTER IN-VITRO EXPOSURE TO METAL-CONTAINING EMISSION

Industrial pollutants, originated from aluminum processing factory, a ere tested for induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). Experime nts were carried out using sheep peripheral lymphocytes under in vitro assays. The emission tested contained Al, Cd, As, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Na, Ca, and Mg; the majority of them in the form of sulphides, sulpha tes, oxides or fluorides. The emission was dissolved and neutralized a ccording to a standard method. The mean of SCE was determined for thre e concentrations the emitted material (30, 60 and 90 mu g/ml) with pre sence and absence of the metabolic activation (S9 mix). The lowest con centration used corresponded to daily oral intake by sheep grazing on contaminated area. Results from both assays were similar; the signific ant increase in SCE was observed at the concentration of 60 mu g/ml (p < 0.01). More conspicuous results were observed without of S 9. No si gnificant decrease in the induction of proliferation index (PI) was fo und. A dose related effect was observed for SCE induction but not for inhibition of proliferation kinetics.