Carcinogenic-mutagenic chemicals induced chromosomal aberrations in the kidney cells of three cyprinids

In vivo kidney cells of three cyprinids (common carp, tench and grass carp) were used to study chromosomal aberrations (CA) after i.p. administration and direct effects of five well known carcinogenic-mutagenic chemicals (aflatoxin B1, Aroclor 1254, benzidine, benzo[a]pyrene and 20-methyl-cholanthrene). Injections with distilled water and corn oil served as the two control groups. The induction rate of CA in the cells of the fish species exposed to the chemicals tested for 48 hr clearly shows not only an increase in the CA frequency in a dose-response manner above the control, but also a species response dependency. The results show that the in vivo CA method in the fish system proved to be an excellent means to detect or investigate water-borne or internally administered carcinogenic-mutagenic agents.