A Genotoxicological Study in Persian Gulf on Rock Oyster (Soccostrea cucullata) using Micronuclei and RAPID Assays

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Department of Fisheries and environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resource, University of Tehran, Karaj-Iran

Abstract

Both micronuclei (MN) and binuclei (BN) as well as RAPD (Random Amplifying Polymorphism
of DNA) assays are newly biomarkers which are well-introduced in toxic injury and related genotoxicity
studies in bivalve, fishes and even humans. However, there is no record of such studies in Iranian Persian Gulf
coast line so far. For this propose, we analyzed frequency of MN and RAPD patterns in gill cells of rock
oyster (soccostrea cucullata) (n=30) collected from two area including Dayer (as reference area) and Mahshahr
which was already shown oil contaminant are relatively high in this area owing to be oil vessel terminal. Our
results showed micronuclei frequency is significantly higher in rock oysters of Mahshahr than Dayer area
(p<0.05). Binuclei cells were also observed in some individuals of Mahshahr. Besides, RAPD analysis indicated
less diversity in polluted area individuals. The results of this study suggest that MN and RAPD analyses can
be easily considered as a useful tool for assessment of diverse pollution on aquatic organism in coastal area of
Persian Gulf.

Keywords