Induction of specific-locus and dominant-lethal mutations in male mice by diethyl sulfate (DES).
Diethyl sulfate (DES), a monofunctional alkylating agent, induces mutations and chromosomal aberrations in many different organisms and cell systems, including dominant-lethal mutations in male mice. However, until now it could not be demonstrated that DES induces specific-locus mutations in mice. This observation would contradict the close correlation observed between the induction of dominant-lethal mutations and specific-locus mutations in mice with other chemicals. DES induces dominant-lethal and specific-locus mutations in spermatozoa and late spermatids of mice. The mutation frequency for dominant-lethal mutations is dose-dependent, while for specific-locus mutations it is independent of the dose. In the mating interval 5-8 days post-treatment the mutation frequency for 200 mg/kg DES is 17.0 X 10(-5) and for 300 mg/kg 7.5 X 10(-5) mutations per locus. The dose-dependent increase of dominant-lethal mutations probably reduced the chance of recovering specific-locus mutations. The importance of these findings for mutagenicity testing is discussed.
Ehling
U H
UH
Institut für Säugetiergenetik, Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung, Neuherberg, F.R.G.
Neuhäuser-Klaus
A
A
D000818:Animals; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005796:Genes; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters; D013464:Sulfuric Acids
D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C011612:diethyl sulfate