Abstract

The genotoxic effect of cyclophosphamide and glyphosate in a commercial formulation were determined using the micronucleus test in peripheral blood erythrocytes of Odontophrynus cordobae and Rhinella arenarum, amphibians widely distributed in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina. For this, the basal frequency of the micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) was determined by: 0.40±0.18 MNE/1000 erythrocytes inOdontophrynus cordobae and 0.30±0.09 MNE/1000 erythrocytes in Rhinella arenarum. The frequency of MNE in Odontophrynus cordobae increased after 5 days of exposure to glyphosate (100 mg ai/L) and cyclophosphamide. After 2 and 5 days of exposure to glyphosate (200, 400 and 800 mg ai/L), the MNE frequency in Rhinella arenarum was higher than the basal frequency, as it occurred in the group exposed to cyclophosphamide. Regarding acute toxicity and genotoxicity, the results show that Odontophrynus cordobaeis more sensitive to cyclophosphamide and glyphosate exposure than Rhinella arenarum. A correlation was detected between exposure concentration and MNE frequency in Rhinella arenarum.

Key words: Genotoxicity, micronucleus test, roundup^®, glyphosate, amphibians.