Assessment of clastogenicity of λ-cyhalothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid in cultured lymphocytes of albino rat.

3 Abstract: Genotoxic potential of -cyhalothrin (LCT) was evaluated in vivo in the cultured albino rat lymphocytes on the basis of chromosomal aberration (CA) assay. The LCT was administered to albino rats as repeated oral doses of 18mg/kg bwt. to acute group, 0.6mg/kg bwt. to sub acute group up to 30 days, while recovery group did not receive any dose after 30 days till day 45. The negative control received the vehicle (ground nut oil) only. Mitomycin C (MMC) was used as a positive control (1.5mg/kg bwt.), administered intraperitoneally. Significant clastogenic potential has been observed after 30days sub acute treatment. The types of chromosomal aberrations observed in present study include chromosome gap, chromosome break, chromatid gap, chromatid break and fragments. LCT possesses potential to induce cytogenetic changes in lymphocytes, which are mostly used in defense and cell immunity. These changes inform of chromosomal aberrations are indicative of possibility of the experimental compound to exerts stress at such a higher level of food chain and may be problematic like conventional pesticides of yester years.