Assessment of genotoxicity in gonads, liver and gills of zebrafish (Danio rerio) by use of the comet assay and micronucleus test after in vivo exposure to methyl methanesulfonate.

Since generative tissues are a link between the generations, the detection of genetic damage in testis and ovary of fish is conductive to elucidating the relationship between genotoxicity and impairment of reproduction. In the current study, exposure of zebrafish to methyl methanesulfonate over two weeks caused concentration dependent genotoxic effects in gonads, liver and gills using the alkaline comet assay. Likewise, the micronucleus frequency was elevated in all of these organs. Thus, the comet assay and the micronucleus test proved appropriate for the detection of genotoxicity in primary male and female gonad cells and histological sections of the gonads from zebrafish, respectively.