Micronucleus formation in preimplanted mouse embryos cultured in vitro after irradiation with x-rays and neutrons.
Preimplanted mouse embryos cultured in vitro were irradiated with X-rays and neutrons in the late G2-phase of the 2-cell stage. Both radiation qualities induced micronuclei at very low doses. The kinetics of micronucleus formation during the first and second cell cycles after X-irradiation depended on the radiation dose and on the extent of the division delay. New micronuclei appeared to be formed even after the third and later post-irradiation mitoses. The shape of the various dose-effect curves and the mechanism of micronucleus formation by the two radiation qualities are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D009502:Neutrons; D014965:X-Rays