Chromosomal aberrations induced by Dispersion Yellow 3 in Rana clamitans larvae during tail regeneration.

Azo dyes have been shown to be mutagenic and toxic in a variety of organisms. The azo dye, Dispersion Yellow 3 is a pollutant in the river water supply of Northern Georgia. Preliminary and definitive studies have indicated that it is mutagenic in micro-organisms and causes several malformations in chicken embryos. The present study revealed that when larvae are exposed to the dye during tail regeneration, several aberrations are seen in the squash preparations from regenerates. Included are gaps (the most frequent abnormality), dicentrics, rings and breaks. The data suggest that this azo dye deserves more detailed study to determine its mutagenicity.