The mutagenic potential of hyperthermia and fever in mice.
The cytogenetic effects of hyperthermia resulting from climatic influences as well as from infections were studied. Whole-body exposure of NMRI mice to an elevated environmental temperature induced a high frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow. Hyperthermia at high relative humidity was more effective in increasing body temperature and cytogenetic damage than at low RH. A sex-related difference in response to heat stress was observed. Hyperthermia on pregnant mice induced a significant increase in the incidence of micronucleated PEs in fetal blood cells. Parenteral administration of bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharides, induced either hypothermia or hyperthermia. However, LPS-induced hypothermia as well as fever does not so far appear to produce cytogenetic damage.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D002980:Climate; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006813:Humidity; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009154:Mutation; D012737:Sex Factors