Normal value for the direct micronucleus test on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the normal value of micronuclei in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


METHODS
We screened 300 blood samples for micronucleated cells. Samples from donors who smoked, were ill or lived in a polluted area were excluded. From each sample, 500 swollen mononuclear leukocytes were screened with a light microscope, using 400x magnification. A frequency distribution of micronucleated cell number was made, and the mean of micronucleated cell number was calculated. Further, the data were tested for the type of probability distribution using the test of goodness of fit, and the parameters were estimated.


RESULTS
Of the 300 samples, 203 were excluded and 97 analyzed. In the 97 samples, the mean of micronucleated cells (from 500 cells screened) was 0.59; the data followed a Poisson distribution. The 95% confidence limits were .45 and .76.


CONCLUSIONS
The normal value in unexposed individuals is .59 micronucleated cells per 500 cells.
Pawitan
Jeanne Adiwinata
JA
Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Susilowati
Retno Wilujeng
RW
D001782:Blood Donors; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D009153:Mutagens