Evaluation of Cytotoxic Potential of Oxytocin in Allium cepa L. Root Tip Cells

P. P. Pankaj; N. Kumari; A. Priadarshini

P. P. Pankaj University Department of Zoology, TM Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
N. Kumari University Department of Zoology, TM Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
A. Priadarshini University Department of Zoology, TM Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

Keywords: Oxytocin, Onion roots, Mitotic aberration, Chromosome breaks, Mitotic depressor, Mutagenic.

Abstract

The effects of oxytocin on mitotic cell division of Allium cepa L. were investigated to ascertain its mutagenic potential. Onion roots were treated with 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% concentrations of oxytocin and compared with control. Significant differences (p 0.05) were observed in mitotic indices (31.28±1.0, 31.17±0.8, 31.70±1.1) when treated with 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% concentrations of oxytocin respectively. Oxytocin induced cell mitotic aberration like polyploidy, stickiness, chromatin bridges, failure of cell-plate formation, chromosome breaks, shortening and contraction of chromosomes, vacuolization, anaphase disturbance, tumor, multipolar spindle, anaphase with laggard, telophasic bridge and chromosomal loss were also seen. We concluded from the present investigation that oxytocin is a mitotic depressor as well as mutagenic as observed in plant cell.