RESUMO
Lanate [methomyl], is a carbamate insecticide that is widely used. This study investigates the genotoxic effect of methomyl on mice. Fifty five mice were used. Mice were grouped into control group [15 animals] and two test groups [20 animals each]. Methomyl was given intraperitonealy to mice in two doses [2, 5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg]. Animals were sacrificed after 4 and 24h. The comet assay was used for evaluation of DNA damage in lymphocytes. Methomyl was found to increase significantly DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes. This effect did not improve after 24h. Increasing methomyl dose produced very high significant increase in DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes. So, it is recommended to investigate any pesticide for its drawbacks before marketing, calculate the most effective dose without side effects and generally decrease the use of pesticides. It is advised to use the comet assay as a monitoring method for high-risk groups to exclude genotoxicity. This test is rapid, simple and sensitive for measuring and analyzing DNA breakage