Cytogenetic Biomonitoring: Micronuclei Analysis in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytesof Farm Workers

Chronic low level exposure to pesticides has been implicated in many health conditions such as induction of oxidative stress, cytogenetic damage, and cancers in humans. An increase in micronuclei (MNi) in lymphocytes is a good indicator of cytogenetic damage. The objective of this study was to determine cytogenetic changes in lymphocytes of farmers from surrounding counties in Kentucky and to evaluate the effects of continuous exposure to pesticides through changes in micronuclei counts. Blood was collected once a month for three months, from June 2003 through August 2003, from farmers (n = 43) and controls (unexposed n =22). Lymphocytes from the blood were separated, grown in RPMI-1640, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum incubated with 5% CO2 at 37° C for 48 hours, and cytochalasin was added to block cytokinesis. Cells were harvested after another 24 hours of incubation, stained with 5% giemsa and 1000 cells per slide were scored for binucleated cells and binucleated cells with micronuclei. Although a two times increase in MNi formation was observed in the occupationally exposed farmers as compared to the control 11.4±2.0 and 6.1±1.3 respectively; the means were not statistically different at P<0.05.