Induction of dominant lethal mutations by alkylating agents in male mice

Abstract

Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) induced a high frequency of dominant lethal mutations in mouse spermatozoa of vas and epididymis, testicular sperm, and late spermatids, and a low frequency in early spermatids. In an equimolar dosage, MMS is about 4 times more effective than EMS in inducing dominant lethal mutations in these cell stages. Neither N-methyl- N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) nor 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-[3-ethyl-2-chloroethyl)amino propylamino]acridine dihydrochloride (ICR-170) induced dominant lethal mutations in spermatozoa of vas and epididymis, testicular sperm, or spermatids. These results are in good agreement with the expected effect of the chemicals based on work with microorganisms.