In vitro approach to fertility research: genotoxicity tests on primordial germ cells and embryonic stem cells.
In vitro screening tests for reproductive toxicology are required by the 7th amendment of the directive 67/548 EEC and the OECD-programme on existing chemicals. Unfortunately, appropriate methods for testing developmental toxicity or impairment of fertility are not at hand. Therefore, we have tried to design test method based on mutagenic effects in germ cells that may be used as a test of fertility impairment as well. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) derived from mouse blastocysts can be kept in culture routinely. Establishment of ESC and improvement of their culture conditions are described and special properties of ESC are discussed in relation to germ cells. Because some properties of germ cells and pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) are found to be comparable, permanent lines of ESC hold promise to be used as an in vitro test of impairment of fertility.
Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Federal Health Office, Berlin, Germany.
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Vogel
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*