Unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by the antitumor drug vincristine in germ cells of male mice.
The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of vincristine (VCR) on germ cells of male mice were investigated. Several parameters (the scale and the time course of unscheduled and scheduled DNA synthesis in spermatocytes and spermatids and the number of sperm present in caudal epididymides) were analyzed. Our results show that intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of VCR resulted in: (1) damage to DNA in spermatocytes and spermatids; (2) a reduction in the rate of germ-cell development; and (3) killing of the non-proliferating spermatid cells. Damage of DNA in germ cells indicates that VCR may have potential genetic hazards to patients who receive it in antitumor therapy.
Department of Human Genetics, Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences, Jilin, China.
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Zhang
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D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014750:Vincristine / Q000633:toxicity*
D014750:Vincristine; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate