title: In vitro cytogenetic assays: chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus tests.
abstract: Chromosome damage is a very important indicator of genetic damage relevant to environmental and clinical studies. Detailed descriptions of the protocols used for detection of chromosomal aberrations induced by unknown agents in vitro both in the presence or the absence of rat liver-derived metabolizing systems are given. Structural chromosomal aberrations that can be observed and quantified at metaphases are described here. For the detection of chromosomal damage (fragments or whole chromosome) in interphase, the micronucleus test can be used and a description of this test is also presented. Criteria for determining a positive result using appropriate statistical methods are described.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mosesso
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cinelli
authors.forename: Adyapalam T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palitti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007399:Interphase / Q000235:genetics; D008677:Metaphase / Q000235:genetics; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D013194:Staining and Labeling