title: Some genetic considerations for the design of better mammalian assay systems for the detection of chemical mutagens and carcinogens.
abstract: Fuller utilization of the potential for genetic manipulation of the laboratory animal populations producing test animals should aid in the development of more sensitive, relevant, and economic toxicologic assay systems for the generation of dose response data at environmental exposure levels. One example of such genetic manipulation is the incorporation, in laboratory mouse populations of any desired genetic structure, of dominant visible mutations which enhance tumor formation. Thus, two different levels of inherent susceptibility to tumor formation can be incorporated and visually identified in the same test population. Another example is the manipulation of the genetic structure of a laboratory animal population in order to generate F-1 hybrids, hybrid crosses, or minimally inbred stocks from the same gene pool. Which of these genetic structures is most suitable in any particular case depends on the purpose for which the assay data are to be used. In making a choice, the desired degree of genetic heterogeneity of the population and the phenotypic variability of the toxicologic responses to be assayed must be considered.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D005788:Gene Pool; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D004785:Environmental Pollutants