Studies with Gaseous Mutagens In Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract

In the great majority of mutagenicity studies using Drosophila, feeding or injection has been utilized as the route of administration of the test chemical. The exposure of Drosophila to potential mutagens in the gas phase has been used by a limited number of investigators, including Verbürgt and Vogel (1977), Nomura (1979), Kramers and Burm (1979), and Kale and Baum (1981). One of the advantages of using inhalation exposure is the organization of the respiratory system in insects that allows for the transport of gases directly into the organs of the fly, including the gonads. Furthermore, this method of exposure provides the possibility to study the effect of variations of exposure duration with less technical difficulties than with other routes of administration. This paper reports on an investigation into the relations between exposure concentration, exposure time, and mutation induction by two gaseous mutagens, 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and methylbromide (MeBr). The question is discussed whether Drosophila is sensitive enough to be used as an in situ monitor for gaseous air pollutants.