Analysis of potential genotoxicity of deicing material in the test for induction of dominant lethal mutations in germ cells of male Drosophila

Introduction. Long-term use of deicing materials (DM) is one of the significant factors causing the active distribution of various chemical compounds that are part of multicomponent deicing mixtures in the environment. In this regard, the expansion of methodological approaches to assessing their biological hazard remains important. Materials and methods. The DM used for research based on a mixture of urea with magnesium and ammonium nitrates. The DM was tested in the form of an aqueous solution and added to the soil to obtain an aqueous extract. The analysis includes test for induced dominant lethal mutations in Drosophila male germ cells. Results. All samples tested significantly reduced the fertility of Drosophila males. The frequencies of early dominant lethal mutations (EDLM) significantly exceeded the levels of the controls, and the effects of the soil extract appeared at the lowest concentration – 5 g/L and of the DM solution – 10 g/L. The trend in the rate of late dominant lethal mutations (LDLM) indicates to the death of sperm or a decrease in mating potency. Limitations. The method of inducing dominant lethal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster and the genotoxic effects assessment of DM in the germ cells of male flies within the study has no restrictions. Conclusion. The conducted test is so far the only one in the field of research into the genetic safety of multicomponent DMs using a method for induced dominant lethal mutations in Drosophila male germ cells. The results prove the high informative rate of the methodological approach which involves analyzing soil extracts to identify and assess a genotoxicity of DM component composition when it enters the soil which can become as a transit layer for migration of DM components and their products transformation into groundwater.