Tail moment versus tail length - Application of an in vitro version of thecomet assay in biomonitoring for genotoxicity in native surface waters using primary hepatocytes and gill cells from zebrafish (Danio rerio)
A. Schnurstein et T. Braunbeck, Tail moment versus tail length - Application of an in vitro version of thecomet assay in biomonitoring for genotoxicity in native surface waters using primary hepatocytes and gill cells from zebrafish (Danio rerio), ECOTOX ENV, 49(2), 2001, pp. 187-196
In order to investigate the suitability of an in vitro version of the comet
assay with primary hepatocytes and gill cells from zebrafish (Danio rerio)
, cells were isolated by immersion in trypsin/EDTA solution after whole-bod
y perfusion with phosphate-buffered saline. Within the scope of an 18-month
biomonitoring study, primary cells were used to identify the genotoxic pot
ential of native water samples from different sites along the major German
rivers, Rhine and Elbe, and to evaluate the sensitivity and practicability
of the chosen assay. Depending on the endpoint measured, considerable diffe
rences were detected with respect to the number of genotoxic surface water
samples: Whereas no differences could be recorded for tail moment and relat
ive DNA contents of head and tail, the number of positively tested native s
urface water samples significantly increased with tail length as endpoint.
(C) 2001 Academic Press.