Cytogenetic and genomic assays in river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n=50) cows raised in urban and rural areas

The exposition to exogenous agents can lead to a variety of modifications on DNA, resulting in genome alterations. Aim of this study is to verify the differences between long- and short-term DNAdamage in river buffalo lymphocytes by the following test: CA (chromosome and chromatid breaks), Sister Chromatid Exchanges(SCEs) and Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus (CBMN) for long-term DNAdamage test, and the relative Telomeres Length (TL), by Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative PCR (MMQPCR) method, for shortterm DNA damage. Two group of buffaloes (20 animals per group,homogeneous for age, sex and feeding), raised in urban (group A) and rural (group B, as control) were studied. Results. Mean values of CA/cell were 0.07±0.30 and 0.07±0.27 in groups A and B, respectively; SCE-mean values were 8.95±3.86 and 9.18±4.34, in the A and B-groups, respectively. For CBMC test, the Binucleated Cell Indexes (BCI) were 76.70±7.32 and 74.89±6.32 in the A- and B-groups, respectively. Mean values of the Bi-Nucleated cells with MN (BNMN) and MN for cell Bi-Nucleated they were 1.52±1.87 and 1.76±2.07 in the A- and B-groups, respectively. The TL values (expressed as telomere length relative to a single copy reference gene) were 1.35±0.92 and 1.44±1.21 in A and B-groups, respectively. No statistical differences were found between the two groups for each test. Conclusions. All four test gave equivalent results and the two different environments do not originate differenced in chromosome stability in buffalo lymphocytes.