Evaluation of Micronuclei Frequency in Both Shelter and Family Cats and Dogs

Each year a lot of animals are cared for in shelters in Italy. Many of these animals have received minimal or no prior healthcare. Thus, the beneficial role animal shelters play is undeniable. Nonetheless, even well-run shelters lack the necessary resources to provide adequate conditions. It is common knowledge that group-housing can increase stress levels in family cats (Felis silvestris lybica) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) contributing to the development of infectious diseases and/or behavioural problems. The aim of this study is to evaluate, through the buccal micronucleus assay, the level of genomic damage in shelter cats and dogs and compare it with that of family cats and dogs. The hypothesis is that environmental conditions such as those potentially present in shelters can affect the level of genomic damage. The study population included thirty healthy mixed breed cats and dogs, randomly sampled, with at a minimum two-year presence in a shelter. The control group consisted of thirty healthy cats and dogs living in a home environment, using age/sex matching. The micronucleus assay was performed on one thousand exfoliated buccal mucosa cells per subject and standardized protocols were used for stress score tests. Significant differences were found between shelter and family cats and dogs in terms of micronuclei, indicating that a condition of stress found in sheltered cats may increase the levels of genomic damage. Conversely, no significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei were found between the sexes, as well as no correlation was found between age and the frequencies of the used genomic markers.