Genotoxic Effects of Heat Stress in House Fly Musca Domestica L. (diptera: Muscidae)

Any deviation in ambient temperature causes stress and disturbs the cellular homeostasis in the organisms. In the present study, genotoxicity induced by exposure of high temperature (40o, 45o and 50oC) has been analyzed in the third instar larvae of common housefly, Musca domestica, by using chromosome aberration assay, micronucleus assay and mitotic index as cytological end points. The adverse effects of heat stress on development pattern of housefly were also observed. A significant (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001) increase in chromosome aberrations and micronucleus frequency was observed in all the exposed groups as compared to control. Cell proliferation at 50oC is inhibited as represented by a decrease in mitotic index. The development pattern in exposed larvae shows increase in larval mortality and delay in adult emergence. The results suggest that heat stress induces structural chromosome aberrations, micronuclei and affects development pattern in housefly Musca domestica.