Micronucleus induction in erythrocytes of the Hyla pulchella tadpoles (Amphibia: Hylidae) exposed to insecticide endosulfan.

Endosulfan is a synthetic chlorinated and environmental genotoxic pesticide used worldwide for crop production. We used the micronucleus test in erythrocytes of Hyla pulchella tadpoles in order to develop an experimental model for detecting genotoxic effects of the synthetic chlorinated cyclodiene endosulfan. The frequency of micronuclei was examined in blood smears obtained from tadpoles exposed in vivo to three different concentrations 2.5, 5, and 10 microg/l of the compound and fixed at two sampling times 48 and 96 h. As a positive control larvae were exposed to 40 mg/l of cyclophosphamide. Results obtained here demonstrated the genotoxic effects of the commercial formulation endosulfan in the experimental model assayed.