Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and their subsequent mixture, on cultured bovine lymphocytes

Cypermethrin triggers oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in bovine mammary glands by disruption of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and calcium homeostasis

Cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl]3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate (cypermethrin) is a pyrethroid insecticide that is widely used to repel insects, such as cockroaches and ants. In addition to the target insects, its hazards have been outlined for carp; mice; and the nervous, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems of humans. However, the effects of cypermethrin on the mammary tissue and milk production in dairy cattle remain unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to elucidate the impact of cypermethrin on dairy cattle using bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), which play key roles in milk yield and quality maintenance. First, we assessed the effects of cypermethrin on cell viability, proliferation, and cell cycle progression, followed by correlated gene expression analysis. Cypermethrin-treated cells exhibited G1 phase arrest and an increase in the sub G1 population. The population of MAC-T cells in both early and late apoptotic phases was increased following cypermethrin exposure. Moreover, cypermethrin caused mitochondrial calcium overload and diminished the mitochondrial membrane potential in MAC-T cells. We also observed the disruption of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and eventually, apoptotic cell death and excessive oxidative stress in cypermethrin-exposed MAC-T cells. In addition, cypermethrin affects the transcription levels related to apoptosis and inflammation, which may lead to the development of clinical morbidities, such as mastitis.

Assessing Antiparasitic Compounds Persistence in Cattle Hair by DART-MS

This study introduces an alternative strategy for evaluating antiparasitic persistence compounds in cattle hair by Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). The developed DART-MS method aimed to determine fenthion, chlorpyrifos, and cypermethrin in cattle hair samples. DART-MS analyses were performed in positive ion mode, and parameters related to the DART source were evaluated. The analytical performance demonstrated the efficiency of the optimized DART-MS method for fenthion, chlorpyrifos, and cypermethrin quantification in the evaluated samples, meeting criteria for precision, accuracy and limits of detection. Overall, the DART-MS method provided a fast and efficient analysis for determination of antiparasitic agents in cattle hair, which contributes to the evaluation of drug administration protocols and dosage intervals, and aids the safety and advancement of the livestock sector.

Liver and kidney damage in quail embryos hatched from eggs sprayed once with chlorpyrifos during artificial incubation

Birds have enough conditions to be used as bioindicators for the presence of environmental contaminants. Notably, chlorpyrifos (CPF) remains extensively employed in Argentina, particularly in fruit plantations and livestock settings This study aimed to assess the potential impacts of CPF on common quail (Coturnix coturnix) embryos through external eggshell application during key embryonic stages (days 1, 4, and 14). Concentrations equivalent to those used in fruit applications, 5× and 10 × (38.4, 192, and 384 µg/egg), were employed. A 48% commercial formulation of CPF (Pirfos - Icona®) was utilized. An increase in embryonic deaths, as well as a statistical association between the degree of liver or kidney lesions and CPF concentrations was observed. The results suggest that CPF can induce embryotoxic effects with a single exposure to quail embryos and compromise the viability of the organisms. The study suggests a potential exposure risk for embryos through contact with the insecticide on the eggshell's exterior.

Biomonitoring of organic pollutants in pet dog plasma samples in North-Western Spain

Most of organic pollutants (OPs) have the ability to interfere with biological systems causing negative effects in living beings, including humans. In the last decades, pets have been used as bioindicators of human exposure because they share the same habitat with their homeowners. We sought to determine levels of approximately 70 OPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) in plasma samples from 39 pet dogs from Ourense (north-western Spain). The results revealed that PAHs were the dominant OPs (mean value 175 ± 319 ng/g lipid weight (lw)), followed by PYRs (132 ± 352 ng/g lw), PCBs (122 ± 96 ng/g lw), OCPs (33 ± 17 ng/g lw), PBDEs (19 ± 18 ng/g lw) and OPPs (2.1 ± 2.7 ng/g lw) in plasma samples. We have previously detected the target OPs in hair samples of pets, collected simultaneously and similar trend of some OPs has been observed. Moreover, pyrene and chrysene showed correlations between levels detected in both matrices.

Chromosomal Aberrations in Cattle

Chromosomal aberrations and their mechanisms have been studied for many years in livestock. In cattle, chromosomal abnormalities are often associated with serious reproduction-related problems, such as infertility of carriers and early mortality of embryos. In the present work, we review the mechanisms and consequences of the most important bovine chromosomal aberrations: Robertsonian translocations and reciprocal translocations. We also discuss the application of bovine cell cultures in genotoxicity studies.

On the performance of distinct electrochemical and solar-based advanced oxidation processes to mineralize the insecticide imidacloprid

Water contamination by contaminants of emerging concern is one of the main challenges to be solved by our desired sustainable society. In the same time, different technologies for water treatment are becoming enough mature to be implemented. In this work, two different advanced oxidation processes (AOP) were investigated: i) electrochemical processes (electrochemical, photoassisted electrochemical, electro Fered-Fenton, and photo-electro Fered-Fenton - PEF-Fered) using a BDD and DSA® electrodes under UVA and UVC irradiation (9 W) and ii) solar-based AOP using four distinct oxidants (HOCl, H₂O₂, S₂O₈^2-, HSO₅^-) in the presence or absence of Fe²⁺ ions to oxidize and mineralize imidacloprid (IMD: 50 mg L^-1) containing solutions. The PEF-Fered (1.0 mM Fe²⁺ and 50 mg L^-1 h^-1 H₂O₂) under UVA or UVC irradiation and HOCl/UVC (NaCl 17 mM) processes using a BDD and DSA® electrodes (10 mA cm ^-2), respectively, performed equally well to completely oxidize and mineralize (∼90%) IMD at the expense of only ∼0.3 kWh g^-1. Low amounts and highly oxidized byproducts identified through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were observed for the HOCl/UVC process using a DSA® electrode. Concerning the solar-based AOP, all assessed oxidants (4 mM h^-1) successfully oxidized IMD within 3 h of treatment, whereas only H₂O₂ and HOCl led to significant (∼60%) TOC abatement after 6 h treatment. The use of Fe²⁺ (0.5 or 1.0 mM) had no significant improvement in the oxidation and mineralization of IMD.

Effects of deltamethrin and thiacloprid on cell viability, colony formation and DNA double-strand breaks in human bronchial epithelial cells

Deltamethrin (DEL) and thiacloprid (THIA) are commonly used insecticides applied either separately or as a mixture. We aimed to investigate the effects of DEL and THIA on cell viability, proliferation and DNA damage in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) because their effects in lung cells are not known. Our results indicate that all concentrations of DEL and THIA statistically decreased colony formation, plating efficiency and survival fraction in a concentration-dependent manner in BEAS-2B cells expect the lowest concentration for 24 h. MTT assay showed that treatment of DEL + THIA increased the cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. DEL + THIA significantly induced the foci formation of phosphorylated H2AX protein and p53 binding protein 1 at the highest concentration (44 μM DEL+666 μM THIA) for 120 h. Because gH2AX foci number was still higher in the recovery group given an additional 24 h after 120 h, the recovery period was not sufficient for DNA double-strand breaks repair.

Non-invasive biomonitoring of organic pollutants using feather samples in feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

A large portion of organic pollutants (OPs) represent a potential hazard to humans and living beings due to their toxic properties. For several years, birds have been used as biomonitor species of environmental pollution. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) were assessed in body feather samples of 71 feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) collected from Asturias and Galicia (NW Spain). The percentage of detection for all chemical groups were above 90% in studied birds. The general pattern was dominated by PAHs (mean value ± standard deviation (SD) 32 ± 15 ng/g) followed by OCPs (3.8 ± 1.1 ng/g), PYRs (3.4 ± 3.8 ng/g), PCBs (1.6 ± 1.0 ng/g), OPPs (1.3 ± 0.70 ng/g) and PBDEs (0.80 ± 0.30 ng/g). Significant differences were observed between age, location and gender suggesting different sources of exposure and accumulation pathways.

Biomonitoring of the hematological, biochemical and genotoxic effects of the mixture cypermethrin plus chlorpyrifos applications in bovines

External antiparasitic agents applied in bovine production represent a risk to consumers of meat products, especially if the conditions of their use are not strictly respected. The post-mortem control of residues in meat is an activity that must be updated and reinforced by the biomonitoring of live animals and the use of analytical tools to help identifying signs of early warning risks. The objective of the present study was to carry out a pre-slaughter biomonitoring approach in Aberdeen Angus cattle and crosses (n = 12) with the application of a commercial formulation of cypermethrin plus chlorpyrifos. This was performed with a single therapeutic dose applied on the backs of the cattle, through hematological, enzymatic, as well as hepatic and renal function analysis in plasma, and then quantifying the genotoxic effect on lymphocytes. Analytical measurements of plasma concentrations of cypermethrin plus chlorpyrifos at 24 h were negative and therefore a low absorption of the compounds was assumed. Measurement of acetyl cholinesterase showed no inhibition after exposure. The concentration of urea increased between 24 h and 168 h post application of the formulation, without showing any kidney damage. The rest of the parameters analyzed did not show any variations. This evaluation of hematological and biochemical effects and of cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay in bovines is proposed as a pre-slaughter control of biomonitoring of the health status of animals, with a focus on food safety for meat consumers.

Micronucleus Assay in Environmental Biomonitoring

Nowadays many chemicals are widely used in agriculture to ensure high crop yields or in veterinary/human medicine to cure diseases. After their improper usage they may contaminate the environment, persist in it and adversely affect both the target and/or the non-target organisms. One of the ways to detect the occurrence of chemicals in the environment is to assess their impact on aquatic and farm animals; both are directly or indirectly exposed via their feed and water. The micronucleus assay is a standardly used cytogenetic test for the simultaneous detection of clastogenic and aneugenic agents. Additionally, cytotoxic effects are also assessed by analysing the proliferation changes using the cytokinesis-blocked proliferation index. The occurrence of micronuclei is analysed in many types of cells like the peripheral blood cells, bone marrow or cell lines according to standards for micronuclei detection. The analysis of published results has shown that the micronucleus assay is, together with the chromosomal aberration test, one of the most often used test in genotoxicity assessment. Its results have contributed to reassessing the use of multiple chemicals available on the market. Moreover, it is a compulsory test before approving the chemical/ pesticide for the market.