Assessment of cytogenetic homeostasis of indicator animals is of great importance in ecological monitoring. The simplest method of its study is micronucleus analysis. Animals with nuclear erythrocytes are often used as indicator animals. In addition to the micronuclei usually recorded, a wide range of cytological nuclear and cellular abnormalities (cytomic analysis) is encountered when assessing the spontaneous level and under the influence of anthropogenic factors. Spontaneous frequency of cytogenetic disorders in 36 species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds was studied. Ecological monitoring of territories of Kazakhstan with different types of pollution (radiation, petrochemical, pesticide, heavy metals, due to rocket and space activities) was carried out with the help of separate species of animals. The results of the study include comparative descriptions, schematics and microphotographs clearly demonstrating a wide range of cytological anomalies of nuclear erythrocytes of animals of different classes. The greatest spectrum of nuclear anomalies in the studied animals was registered at petrochemical and pesticide contamination of territories. Depending on the tasks and climatic-geographical conditions, all investigated species can be used as bioindicators. Testudo horsfieldii is an exception for desert regions due to high spontaneous micronuclei level in this species. A review of the names of the main nuclear anomalies is carried out and variants of its ordering are proposed.

Space rockets are regularly launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The ecological impact of territories affected by the consequences of space rocket activities on the environment is a significant concern. On July 27, 2006, the Dnepr rocket was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, resulting in an abnormal situation and its emergency fall. The rocket fuel components, heptyl, and amyl, led to decontamination and reclamation activities. However, the self-restoration of soil and vegetation cover is currently in the earliest stages. Consequently, an assessment of the remote consequences of the accidental fall of the Dnepr launch vehicle for environmental objects was conducted. The study involved eco-toxicological characterization of habitat conditions, assessment of species diversity, determination of key morphophenetic indicators, and the genetic status of indicator species as the main parameters. The results revealed an increased level of genotoxicity in soils at the accident site. While there were deviations from the norm in some morphophenetic and cytogenetic parameters in indicator animals, they were not critical for their existence in this territory. Possibly, at the physiological level, they exhibit a high enough adaptation potential and compensatory mechanism.

The cytogenetic research reveals the radiosensitivity of plant test system Allium cepa in comparison to the traditional test system in the form of human peripheral blood lymphocytes culture. For the work, it was carried out an assessment of cytogenetic damage caused by short-term external irradiation in the range of low doses 0.01–0.7 Gy. The study indicated the high induction sensitivity of the Allium test for cytogenetic effects on the meristematic cells of onion roots. The most hypersensitive response to ionizing radiation is demonstrated by the induction of micronuclei in interphase cells. It’s shown a positive correlation between the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in lymphocytes and micronuclei in interphase cells (+0.87), as well as the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in metaphases of lymphocytes and onion roots (+0.93). The results obtained confirm the possibility of using the Allium cepa as a suitable test system for the primary biological determination of genotoxicity arising from external exposure to γ-radiation. Представлены результаты сравнительного цитогенетического исследования радиочувствительности двух тест-систем - растительной Allium cepa и традиционной - культура лимфоцитов периферической крови человека. Проведена оценка цитогенетических повреждений, вызванных кратковременным внешним облучением в диапазоне малых дох 0,01-0,7 Гр. Представленная работа показала высокую чувствительность Allium-тест по индукции цитогенетических эффектов в меристематических клетках корней лука. Наиболее эффективно ответ на ионизирующее облучение демонстрирует индукция микроядер в интерфазных клетках. Показана достоверная положительная корреляция между частотой хромосомных нарушений в лимфоцитах и микроядрами в интерфазных клетках (+0,87), а также частотой хромосомных нарушений в метафазах лимфоцитов и корнях лука (+0,93). Полученные результаты подтверждают возможность использования тест-системы Allium cepa в качестве подходящего индикатора для первичной биологической оценки генотоксичности, возникающей при внешнем воздействии γ-излучения. Зерттеу жұмысында стандартты тест жүйесі ретінде алынған адамның қан лимфоциттерінің культурасы мен Allium сера өсімдік тест жүйесінің радиосезімталдық қасиетін салыстырмалы цитогенетикалық зерттеу нәтижелері ұсынылған. Атап айтқанда, 0,01-0,7 Гр төмен дозалар диапазонында қысқа мерзімді сыртқы сәулеленуден туындаған цитогенетикалық бұзылыстарға бағалау жүргізілді. Бұл зерттеулер пияз тамыры меристемалық клеткаларында цитогенетикалық бұзылыстарды индукциялау бойынша Allium тестінің ықпалы жоғары екендігі көрсетілді. Иондаушы сәулеленуге аса жоғары сезімталдылық көрсеткен клеткалардың интерфаза кезеңінде микроядролардың индукциясы байқалатыны анықталды. Лимфоциттердегі хромосомалық ауытқулардың жиілігі мен интерфазалық клеткалардағы микроядролардың жиілігі (+0,87), сондай-ақ лимфоциттер мен пияз тамырларының метафазаларындағы хромосомалық ауытқулардың жиілігі (+0,93) арасында айтарлықтай оң корреляция болатынығы көрсетілді. Алынған нәтижелер Allium сера тест жүйесін қоршаған ортадағы γ-сәулелер әсерінің генотоксикалық дәрежесін анықтауда қолайлы тест материалы ретінде пайдалану мүмкіншілігін растайды және бастапқы биологиялық көрсеткіш болып табылады.

There is an urgent need to preserve the ancient and culturally significant Kazakh dog breed Tobet, which is threatened with extinction. The evaluation of genomic instability and adaptive potential of Tobet dogs in comparison with outbred dogs as a model of genetic diversity and adaptability seems to be an interesting study and could shed light on the necessary efforts to improve the Tobet breed. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the cytological and cytogenetic (micronucleus test) parameters of peripheral blood cells of Tobet dogs and outbred dogs. The analysis revealed no significant differences in micronucleus frequency between Tobet and outbred dogs, indicating robust genomic stability. However, the observed cytological abnormalities, such as poikilocytosis, suggest potential health issues in the Tobet breed and highlight the need for continued health monitoring. This research underlines the importance of combining traditional breeding methods with modern genetic analyses to ensure the survival of the breed. Keywords: Tobet, purebred dog, outbred dog, genomic instability, adaptive potential, cytogenetic analysis.

Baseline cytogenetic parameters in healthy livestock are essential for evaluating stress and mutagenic effects under environmental conditions. This study aimed to establish reference values of genome instability in cattle and sheep of different sex and age groups in the Almaty region. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted on “Kazakh fat-tailed coarse-wooled” sheep and “Alatau” cattle using two minimally invasive assays: the micronucleus (MN) test in peripheral blood erythrocytes and the cytome assay in buccal (nasal) epithelial cells. The research quantified genome instability and described the spectrum of cytogenetic abnormalities. Baseline values of MN were determined in both species. In cattle, MN frequency in erythrocytes and reticulocytes ranged from 0–0.5% and 0.1–0.8%, while in nasal epithelial cells the average MN level was 0.015% and other abnormalities reached 0.025%. In sheep, MN frequency varied from 0.1% to 1.2% (mean 0.31%). The mean MN level in buccal epithelium was 0.028%, whereas karyological abnormalities reached 0.04%. Comparative evaluation showed higher genome instability in females than males and in young animals versus adults, demonstrating the influence of physiological factors. The study provides reference values for cytogenetic biomarkers and identifies typical abnormalities in epithelial cells of farm animals. These results can support biomonitoring programs and improve assessment of livestock genetic health under environmental and anthropogenic stressors.