The use of nucleolar morphological characteristics of birch seedlings for the assessment of environmental pollution

Micronucleus frequency in buccal mucosa from the oral cavity of children as well as nucleolar structural characteristics (surface area of single nucleoli as well as their number and type) in the root meristem of seed progeny of birch (Betula pendula Roth) were studied in some districts of Voronezh City and Voronezh Region (Novovoronezh Town, Zemlyansk Village). Similar trends of changes in cytogenetic parameters have been revealed for both subjects. Regression analysis allowed us to generate an equation relating the cytogenetic parameters of birch seed progeny (surface area of single nucleoli) and humans (frequency of micronuclei in buccal mucosa of children). This study can be considered as a result of cytogenetic monitoring of environmental pollution in some areas of Voronezh City and Voronezh Region.