The investigation of the potential effects of genetically modified (GMO) maize (Zea mays L.) on swiss albino mice

An organism of which gene sequence is modified or a new feature is added to it is called Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). This study researches the potential physiologic and genotoxic effects of a genetically modified organism, maize (Zea mays L.) on Mice. While physiologic effects are identified by measuring live-born weight, live weight, organ weight and genotoxic effects are evaluated by identifying buccal mucosa epithelial cells and existence of micronucleus (MN) in erythrocyte cells. In this sudy, mices were divided into four categories in which 10 mice existed both as control and practice groups. The mice in control groups were feeded with Non-GMO maize, while the mice in treatment groups were feeded with GMO maize. Potential effects of GMO maize on the first generation mice, which comprised of mother mice and second generation mice that derived from the former generation through being feeded in the same way. It has been found out that organ weight of liver, live weight, live-born weight and number of liveborns have reduced and organ weight of kidneys and the number of MN in erythrocyte cells have increased in mother, first generation and second generation mice, which were feeded with GMO maize. In addition, there could not be found formation of MN in buccal mucosa epithelial cells of mother, first and second generation mice. Keywords: GMO, Physiology , Genotoxicite , Micronucleus