Abstract
The presence of genotoxic agents in the environment may cause chromosomal mutations through different mechanisms, which are associated with serious health effects. Genotoxicity is commonly evaluated for the chemical safety assessment, in which the in vivo micronucleus test is paid more attention in the field of genotoxicity as compared to other toxicological endpoints. This assay is an in vivo cytogenetic test which uses erythrocytes in the bone marrow of rodents to detect chemical damage to the chromosomes or mitotic apparatus of mammalian cells. At the time of erythroblast development into a polychromatic erythrocyte (PCEs) in bone marrow, the main nucleus is extruded, so any micronucleus (MN) that has been formed may remain behind in the otherwise anucleated cytoplasm. The damage in the chromosome appears as a small additional nucleus and is readily identifiable by light microscope. An increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN PCEs) in treated animals is an indication of genotoxicity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Morita T, MacGregor JT, Hayashi M (2011) Micronucleus assays in rodent tissues other than bone marrow. Mutagenesis 26:223–230
Brusick D, Aardema M, Kier L et al (2016) Genotoxicity expert panel review: weight of evidence evaluation of the genotoxicity of glyphosate, glyphosate-based formulations, and aminomethylphosphonic acid. Crit Rev Toxicol 46:56–74
Heddle JA (1973) A rapid in vivo test for chromosomal damage. Mutat Res 18:187–190
Schmid W (1975) The micronucleus test. Mutat Res 31:9–15
Hayashi M (2016) The micronucleus test—most widely used in vivo genotoxicity test—. Genes and Environ 38:18
Heddle JA, Carrano AV (1977) The DNA content of micronuclei induced in mouse bone marrow by γ-irradiation: evidence that micronuclei arise from acentric chromosomal fragments. Mutat Res 44:63–69
Heddle JA, Hite M, Kirkhart B et al (1983) The induction of micronuclei as a measure of genotoxicity: a report of the US Environmental Protection Agency Gene-Tox Program. Mutat Res 123:61–118
OECD (2016) Test No. 474: mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test. OECD Publishing
Mortelmans K, Rupa DS (2004) Current issues in genetic toxicology testing for microbiologists. Adv Appl Microbiol 56:379–397
Beedanagari S, Vulimiri SV, Bhatia S (2014) Genotoxicity biomarkers: molecular basis of genetic variability and susceptibility. Biomarkers in toxicology. Elsevier, pp 729–742
Suzuki Y, Nagae Y, Li J et al (1989) The micronucleus test and erythropoiesis. Effects of erythropoietin and a mutagen on the ratio of polychromatic to normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N ratio). Mutagenesis 4:420–424
Jayashree IV, Vijayalaxmi KK, Rahiman MA (1994) The genotoxicity of Hinosan, an organophosphorus pesticide in the in vivo mouse. Mutat Res 322:77–85
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Jain, A.K., Pandey, A.K. (2019). In Vivo Micronucleus Assay in Mouse Bone Marrow. In: Dhawan, A., Bajpayee, M. (eds) Genotoxicity Assessment. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2031. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9646-9_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9646-9_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9645-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9646-9
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols