The use of the micronucleus test and comet assay in wild rodents: a historical review and future perspectives

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 196; no. 8; p. 773
• Main Authors: Claro, Hermes Willyan Parreira, Hannibal, Wellington, Benvindo-Souza, Marcelino, de Melo e Silva, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Animals, Wild; Assaying; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioassays; Bioindicators; blood; Bone marrow; Brazil; Bulgaria; Comet assay; Comet Assay - methods; Damage detection; DNA Damage; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; environmental exposure; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Environmental quality; Genotoxicity; genus; Historical account; Indicator species; Italy; Mexico; micronucleus tests; Micronucleus Tests - methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; mutagens; occupations; Review; Rodentia; Rodents; Spain; species; Standardization; Toxicity tests; xenobiotics; South America; Czech Republic; Sweden; Europe; Brazil; Italy; Mexico; Bulgaria; Spain; Wild rodents; Environmental pollution; Bioindicator species; DNA damage; Blood; Heavy metals
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12935-1

Rodents are considered good models for investigating genotoxic damage and mutagenic alterations caused by xenobiotic agents, due to their occupation of a wide variety of habitats. However, relatively few in situ studies have focused on DNA damage in wild rodents associated with environmental exposure. In this review, we investigate trends in the application of the micronucleus test and comet assay in in situ studies of wild rodents. A total of 33 papers were identified, distributed across 14 different countries. Brazil and Spain had the most published studies (six each), followed by Bulgaria (n = 5), Mexico (n = 4) and Italy (n = 3). Only 24 of the 2,652 recognized rodent species have been the subject of in situ studies, which have most frequently focus on species of the genus Mus . The protocols used for the micronucleus test and comet assay varied widely, although blood and bone marrow were the primary types of tissue used. Given the paucity of studies on wild rodents, we recommend further research, particularly focusing on the use of this group as bioindicators of environmental quality and the standardization of protocols.