Abstract

In this study, DNA damage in hybrid tilapia exposed to the short-transport process has been investigated. Gill samples were taken from tilapia which after immediately from the transport process (t0 group), after 6 hours from transport process (t6 group), after 12 hours from transport process (t12 group), after 24 hours from transport process (t24 group) and not applied transport process (control group) have been investigated and the results have been compared as statistically. The Damage frequency (%), Arbitrary Unit and Genetic Damage Index (%) were evaluated in gill cells of tilapia. As a result of the study, it is determined that highest the damage frequencies (%) as 69.00±4.58 and 66.00±3.00 were significantly observed in t0 and t6 groups respectively (P<0.001). Besides, it is observed that the other damage parameters (Arbitrary unit and genetic damage ındex) in the gill samples of t0 and t6 groups were significantly higher (P<0.001) compared to the control, t12 and t24 groups. The Arbitrary unit and Genetic damage index increased in fish after the transport process (especially, t6 and t12) but a significant decrease occurred after 24 h (returning to the control levels) (P< 0.001).