Micronuclei Induction in Amniotic Fluid Cells from Cyclophosphamide Treated Rats.

The aim of the study was to determine if amniotic fluid cells of rats can be used to provide evidence of genotoxicity. In order to do that micronuclei formation was induced in rats during pregnancy after treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP), at different CP doses. On gestational day 19, we collected the amniotic fluid and determined the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNCs) from the offspring. Samples were centrifuged and placed on clean slides. The smears were observed with an epifluorescence microscope. The number of MNCs in 2000 cells per pregnant rat was counted. The fetus weight and size were recorded and provided evidence of DNA damage caused by CP administration to their mothers. A significantly greater number of MNCs was observed only for the medium CP dose (P<0.01) and the high CP dose (P<0.02) groups versus the negative control group. Birth defects produced by the administration of the CP were evident in the CP-treated groups. This study showed an alternative method to determine if compounds administrated to pregnant rat cause damage to the genetic material of their offspring. Using micronuclei testing of amniotic fluid cells enables us to determine in one test the genotoxicity and the teratogenic potential of a compound.