A cytogenetic study of cows from a highly industrial or an agricultural region

An examination was made of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchange in the blood lymphocytes of cows from an industrial region (aluminium smelting plant, lignite quarries, briquette factory, electric plants, mechanical plants. The control group consisted of cows from an agricultural region. In cows from the industrial region a significantly higher level of chromosomal aberrations was observed than in cows from the agricultural region (5.82 +/- 0.46 vs. 2.11 +/- 0.31 per 100 cells). In older, 7-12-year-old cows from the industrial region a slightly higher level of chromosomal aberrations was observed, and a significantly higher level of gaps than in younger cows. The frequency of SCE in the blood lymphocytes of cows from the industrial region was also higher and reached 7.47 +/- 2.33 per cell, while in cows from the agricultural region it was only 6.38 +/- 1.88, but these differences were not significant statistically. However, significant differences were observed in the number of SCE between the age groups within the industrial region P < or = 0.001) in favour of the younger animals. The results obtained indicate that the industrial pollution emitted into the environment may have a genotoxic character. Thus cytogenetic examination of cattle may be a useful test for monitoring industrial pollution.