US EPA

Data from studies on radiation-and chemically-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse oocytes have been summarized. n attempt has been made to assess the relative sensitivity to mutagenic agents of female and male germ cells through comparison of observations from mutation studies of female and male mice. o unequivocal evidence of a mutagenic effect limited to a single sex could be found in the cytogenetic data, although differences in relative germ cell sensitivity could be inferred for ionizing radiation and some chemicals. owever, the pattern of inter-sex variations was not consistent: for example, irradiation of dictate oocytes yielded a lower rate of heritable chromosome translocations that the same dose to spermatogonia; in contrast, some chemicals, such as mitomycin C, yielded a larger incidence of chromosome anomalies after treatment of dictate oocytes than spermatogonia. verall, the.limitations in quality and quantity of cytogenetic data, and the uncertainties associated with comparing information obtained in disparate assays, place severe constraints on the use of observations on induced chromosome aberrations to assess the relative sensitivities of female and male germ cells to environmental mutagens.

Tease, C. RADIATION AND CHEMICALLY INDUCED CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS IN MOUSE OOCYTES: A COMPARISON WITH EFFECTS IN MALES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-93/179 (NTIS PB93194462), 1992.

Mutation Research 296(1/2):135-142, 1992