Cytokinetic and cytogenetic effect of agricultural chemicals on human lymphoid cells in vitro. II. Organochlorine pesticides.

Human lymphoid cells of LAZ-007 cell line, incubated with 10(-4) to 10(-6) molar of eight different organochlorine pesticides had dose related cytotoxicity, mitotic depression and cell cycle traverse inhibition. In cultures incubated with 10(-4) M concentrations, M1 metaphases were as high as 13% (Dicofol) as compared to less than 1% in the controls. The frequency of M3 metaphases in cultures incubated with 10(-6) M concentrations ranged from 11% (Chlordane) to 15% (Endosulfan) compared to 17% in control cultures. Statistically significant increase in SCE frequency was seen in cells exposed to Chlordane, Dicofol, Endosulfan and Toxaphene. On metabolic activation with rat liver microsomal S-9 enzymes, Chlordane, Dicofol and Tetradifon induced SCE frequency was higher than that of nonactivated cultures.