title: Effects of ethylene on micronucleus formation in the bone marrow of rats and mice following four weeks of inhalation exposure.
abstract: Male Fischer 344 rats and male B6C3F1 mice (10/species/group) were exposed to ethylene 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. The ethylene target concentrations were 0, 40, 1000, and 3000 ppm. An ethylene oxide (EO) control group for each species was exposed under the same conditions at a target concentration of 200 ppm. Bone marrow was collected approximately 24 h after the final exposure. Polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) to normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) ratios were determined and 2000 PCE/animal were scored for the presence of micronuclei. Ethylene did not produce statistically significant, exposure-related increases in the frequency of micronucleated PCE (MNPCE) in the bone marrow of either rats or mice when compared to air-exposed control animals. As expected, EO exposure resulted in significant increases in the frequencies of MNPCE in both species.
authors.affiliation: Bushy Run Research Center/Union Carbide Corporation, Export, PA 15632.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vergnes
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Pritts
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D005030:Ethylenes; D009153:Mutagens; C036216:ethylene