Resumen

LOPEZ VERA, María Eva et al. Frequency of micronuclei and other abnormalities in buccal epithelial cells in strawberry farmers in the city of Areguá. Rep. cient. FACEN [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.1, pp.49-56. ISSN 2222-145X.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rcfacen.2025.16.1.049.

As the global population grows, food production increases, along with the use of pesticides that can affect human health. Studying the oral epithelium of farmers may provide evidence of genetic damage due to occupational exposure. Given these conditions, it is important to conduct this study to evaluate such effects in a simple, rapid, and cost-effective way, using the micronucleus (MN) test and the detection of nuclear abnormalities (NA). The study population consisted of strawberry farmers from the city of Areguá, Central, Paraguay. The control group included 26 individuals, and the exposed group included 22. A total of 2,000 cells per person were analyzed, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics 23. Comparisons between the exposed and non-exposed groups were made using univariate ANOVA for each survey variable. Subsequently, Student’s t-test was applied to determine the significance of DNA damage between the two groups. No statistically significant differences were found between groups for the variables Broken Egg, Pyknosis, Karyorrhexis, and Binucleated cells. However, the exposed group showed significant differences for Micronuclei and Karyolysis (p < 0.05), indicating greater cellular damage. These findings may be related to lifestyle factors, prolonged exposure to agrochemicals and sunlight, and the lack of basic protection when handling chemical agents.

Palabras clave : genotoxicology; cell damage; micronuclei; buccal epithelium; strawberry farmers.

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