Hepatorenal and genotoxic effects of genetically modified quail meat in a 90-day dietary toxicity study in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hepatorenal toxicity and genotoxicity from eating meat meal of genetically modified (GM) Japanese quail in 90 days dietary experiment using micronucleus (MN) test, mitotic index (MI) and RAPD-PCR for genotoxicity assay, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine for hepatorenal toxicity. Four groups of Swiss male mice were used. Control 1 received balanced ration, control 2 received 20% non-GM quail meat, treated 1 received 20% GM quail meat meal, and treated 2 received 40% GM quail meat meal. Minor differences in body weight were observed between the 4 groups. 40% GM quail meat meal induced hepatorenal toxicity; meanwhile 20% induced renal toxicity only. GM quail meat meal induced genotoxicity by increased MN and nuclear buds caused by the 40%, while 20% caused nuclear buds only. Our RAPD fingerprints showed differences between the individual of both controls and both treatments in the number and intensity of the amplified DNA bands. The combined data of MN, nuclear buds and RAPD data indicate the genotoxic effect of both doses of GM quail meat which have nearby effects on fragmentation of genetic material.