Skip to main content
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1978 Jun;24:105–112. doi: 10.1289/ehp.7824105

Alteractions of germ cells leading to mutagenesis and their detection

David J Brusick
PMCID: PMC1637227  PMID: 17539136

Abstract

Germ cell risk is an essential component of estimating the deleterious results of environmental mutagens. The present set of in vivo model systems appears to have limited ability to measure germ cell risk from all types of genetic lesions. The assays most practical for use in genetic testing measure the induction of chromosome alterations but not specific locus gene mutations. Quantitative estimation of germ cell risk based on such available assays is difficult to make and may lead to incorrect assumptions of risk. Better assessment of germ cell genetic damage will require expansion of present procedures to increase sensitivity and the development of improved assay systems.

Full text

PDF
105

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Badr F. M., Badr R. S. Studies on the mutagenic effect of contraceptive drugs. I. Induction of dominant lethal mutations in female mice. Mutat Res. 1974 Dec;26(6):529–534. doi: 10.1016/s0027-5107(74)80055-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Basler A., Röhrborn G. Chromosome aberrations in oocytes of NMRI mice and bone marrow cells of Chinese hamsters induced with 3,4-benzpyrene. Mutat Res. 1976 Oct;38(5):327–332. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(76)90157-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bouck N., di Mayorca G. Somatic mutation as the basis for malignant transformation of BHK cells by chemical carcinogens. Nature. 1976 Dec 23;264(5588):722–727. doi: 10.1038/264722a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Brewen J. G. Practical evaluation of mutagenicity data in mammals for estimating human risk. Mutat Res. 1976 Nov 1;41(1 SPEL):15–24. doi: 10.1016/0027-5107(76)90070-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Cattanach B. M., Williams C. E. A search for chromosome aberrations induced in mouse spermatogonia by chemical mutagens. Mutat Res. 1971 Dec;13(4):371–375. doi: 10.1016/0027-5107(71)90048-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Generoso W. M. Evaluation of chromosome aberration effects of chemicals on mouse germ cells. Environ Health Perspect. 1973 Dec;6:13–22. doi: 10.1289/ehp.730613. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Léonard A. Tests for heritable translocations in male mammals. Mutat Res. 1975 Oct;31(5):291–298. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(75)90094-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Machemer L., Lorke D. Experiences with the dominant lethal test in female mice: effects of alkylating agents and artificial sweeteners on pre-ovulatory oocyte stages. Mutat Res. 1975 Aug;29(2):209–214. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. RUSSELL W. L. X-ray-induced mutations in mice. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 1951;16:327–336. doi: 10.1101/sqb.1951.016.01.024. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Sobels F. H. Some problems associated with the testing for environmental mutagens and a perspective for studies in "comparative mutagenesis". Mutat Res. 1977 Aug;46(4):245–260. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(77)90001-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. van Buul P. P. Comparison of frequencies of radiation-induced stable chromosomal aberrations in somatic and germ tissues of the mouse. Mutat Res. 1973 Dec;20(3):369–376. doi: 10.1016/0027-5107(73)90058-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES