Testing for Nondisjunction in the Mouse

• Published in: Environmental health perspectives Vol. 31; pp. 123 - 129
• Main Authors: Chandley, Ann C., Speed, R. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. National Institutes of Health. Department of Health, Education and Welfare 01.08.1979
• Subjects: Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced - genetics; Aneuploidy; Animals; Chromosome Aberrations - chemically induced; Chromosome Aberrations - genetics; Chromosome Disorders; Chromosomes; Embryos; Female; Fetus; Genetic Techniques; Germ cells; Gestational Age; Irradiation; Karyotype; Male; Mice; Mitomycins - toxicity; Mosaicism; Spermatocytes; Spermatogonia; Spermatozoa - drug effects; Spermatozoa - radiation effects; Systems to Detect the Induction of Aneuploidy by Environmental Mutagens. Savannah, Georgia, November 5-8, 1978; Trisomics; Trisomy; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0091-6765; 1552-9924
• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7931123

Tests for nondisjunction have been carried out in male and female mice. Ten-day fetal progeny of control and treated adults have been karyotyped to establish spontaneous and induced levels of aneuploidy. In males, the effects of 100 rad x-rays on type A spermatogonia and early primary spermatocytes, and the effects of Mitomycin C (2 mg/kg) on early primary spermatocytes, have been tested. The results show insensitivity of primary spermatocytes to both agents, but a 3.5-fold increase in nondisjunction following spermatogonial irradiation. In females, comparisons have been made between young controls, young x-rayed (5 rad), aged controls and aged x-rayed (5 rad) animals. The "ageing effect" on nondisjunction is observed, but too few fetuses have been analyzed to reach conclusions regarding enhancement of nondisjunction levels by low doses of x-rays.