Assessment of cytogenetic damage in bovine peripheral lymphocytes exposed to in vitro tebuconazole-based fungicide

The tebuconazole-based fungicide was tested in vitro for its potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on cultured bovine peripheral lymphocytes. Following 24 h and 48 h of incubation, several cytogenetic endpoints were investigated such as: Chromosome Aberrations (CAs); Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs); Micronuclei (MN); Mitotic Index (MI); Proliferation Index (PI); and Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index (CBPI). The cultured lymphocytes were exposed to the fungicide formulation at concentrations of 3, 6, 15, 30 and 60 μg mL−1. Statistical significant increases were seen in the CA assays at concentrations ranging from 6 to 30 μg mL−1 for 24 h. The higher doses caused a decrease or total inhibition of chromosome damages in comparison to the last active dose, or the control values. The Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation (FISH) technique was also used for the study of stable/unstable structural chromosomal aberrations and numerical aberrations of aneuploidy/polyploidy at the concentrations of 6 and 15 μg mL−1. Under conditions of our study, no reciprocal translocations were detected. The more frequent types of aberrations were trisomies and monosomies; both have been identified in association with either bovine chromosome 5 or 7. No statistical significant value was seen in the induced MN; but, the clear, evident reduction of the CBPI was observed. Significant elevations of SCE were observed after the applications of the fungicide formulation at doses from 15 to 60 μg mL−1 in each donor for 24 h. The highest concentrations also caused a statistical significant decrease in the PI. The treatment for 48 h failed to exhibit any genotoxic activity of the fungicide.