Induction of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities in mussels exposed to bisphenol A, diallyl phthalate and tetrabromodiphenyl ether-47

Analysis of micronuclei, nuclear buds, bi-polynucleated and fragmented-apoptotic cells was performed in gills of blue mussels exposed for 3 weeks to sublethal concentrations of bisphenol A, diallyl phthalate (for the both nominal concentration 50 ppb) and to tetrabromodiphenyl ether-47 (nominal concentration 5 ppb). Fourteen specimens from each treatment and control group were used for the analysis. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in micronuclei frequency after the treatment with bisphenol A (P = 0.0243), diallyl phthalate (P = 0.0005) and tetrabromodiphenyl ether-47 (P < 0.0001; Mann–Whitney U-test). Induction of bi-nucleated (P = 0.0028), fragmented-apoptotic (P = 0.0004) cells and nuclear buds (P = 0.0101) was found in mussels exposed to tetrabromodiphenyl ether-47 while treatment with diallyl phthalate increased the level of fragmented-apoptotic cells (P = 0.0283). Bisphenol A was the only agent that resulted only in induction of micronuclei but not any other kind of nuclear injuries.