Open AccessDose--response curve for ethylnitrosourea-induced specific-locus mutations in mouse spermatogonia.
Author(s) -
William D. Russell,
Patricia R. Hunsicker,
G. D. Raymer,
M H Steele,
Kathren F. Stelzner,
Hansa Thompson
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.79.11.3589
Subject(s) - ethylnitrosourea , locus (genetics) , biology , genetics , dose–response relationship , gene , toxicology , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , pharmacology
The extreme mutagenic effectiveness of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea in the mouse has permitted the accumulation of the most extensive dose--response data yet obtained for chemical induction of specific-locus mutations in spermatogonia. In the lower portion of the curve, below a dose of 100 mg/kg, the data fall statistically significantly below a maximum likelihood fit to a straight line. Independent evidence indicates that, over this dose range, ethylnitrosourea reaches the testis in amounts directly proportional to the injected dose. It is concluded that, despite the mutagenic effectiveness of ethylnitrosourea, the spermatogonia are apparently capable of repairing at least a major part of the mutational damage when the repair process is not swamped by a high dose. This finding is important both in basic studied on the mutagenic action of chemicals in mammals and in risk estimation.