The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of lanthanum (La(III)) were studied in fish micronucleus analysis in erythrocytes of the rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). Fish were exposed to 0.04, 08, 0.16, 0.32, and 0.80 mg L-1 of La concentration for 21 days. Several important morphological alterations of the nucleus were noted, such as the ratio of micronucleated erythrocyte, and total ratio of erythrocytes with nuclear anomalies, blebs, notches, and so on. The total ratio of nuclear anomalies was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in G. rarus exposed to La(III) (except for 0.04 mg L-1) compared with the control. Hypsometric analysis indicated significant dose-dependent changes in erythrocyte and nucleus dimensions (P < 0.05). Various abnormal morphological forms of erythrocytes were also observed. These results showed that La(III) was cytotoxic to erythrocytes of the rare minnow.
Keywords: Erythrocytes; Genotoxicity; Gobiocypris rarus; La(III); Micronucleus.