The micronucleus test as an in vivo cytogenetic method

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to outline work being done on an alternative method for scoring in vivo clastogenic effects of potential mutagens which may provide a method for the rapid screening of large numbers of chemical compounds: the bone marrow 'micronucleus test'. For purposes of rapid screening of potential clastogenic agents it appears that the micronucleus test holds considerable promise. The time required for counting 2000 erythrocytes averaged about 15 min. This compares with approximately 1 hr for counting and analysis of 50 metaphase spreads and nearly 2 hr for analysis of 50 rat bone marrow anaphase figures. It is suggested that a more rigorous evaluation of the micronucleus test as an in vivo method for mutagenicity screening must await further experimentation utilizing a variety of both strongly and weakly mutagenic compounds and sensitivity comparisons with more firmly established mutagenicity testing protocols.