Abstract
Male rabbits were treated with a single i.v. injection of 22.5 mg/kg methyl methane sulfonate (MMS). 0–24 h later [3H]-thymidine was injected in both testicles. Incorporation of the isotope in germ cell DNA was demonstrated in ejaculated sperms. In controls labeled sperms were demonstrated first on day 40–43. These cells were in the preleptotene spermatocyte phase at the time of [3H]-thymidine injection. In rabbits treated with MMS significant radioactivity occurred in sperms collected from day 19 onwards. These cells were in late spermatocyte and early spermatid phase of maturation when [3H]-thymidine was injected. Incorporation of thymidine in these cell populations is interpreted as an expression of unscheduled DNA synthesis, a repair process initiated after chemical damage of germ cell DNA by MMS. The usefulness of the rabbit test system within the framework of conventional mutagenicity screening tests is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arnold, D. W., Kennedy, G. L., Jr., Keplinger, M. L., Calandra, J. C.: Dominant lethal studies with alkylating agents. Dose-response relationship. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol. 38, 79–84 (1976)
Brookes, P., Lawley, P. D.: Evidence for binding of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons to the nucleic acids of mouse skin: Relation between carcinogenic power of hydrocarbons and their binding to DNA. Nature (Lond.) 202, 781–784 (1964)
Cattanach, B. M.: Specific locus mutation in mice, in chemical mutagens. In: Principles and methods for their detection (A. Hollander, ed.), Vol. 2, pp. 535–539. New York-London: Plenum Press 1971
Cumming, R. B., Walton, M. F.: Fate and metabolism of some mutagenic alkylating agents in the mouse. I. Ethyl methanesulfonate and methyl methanesulfonate at sublethal dose in hybrid males. Mutation Res. 10, 365–377 (1970)
Dulbecco, R., Vogt, M.: Plaque formation and isolation of pure lines with poliomyelitis viruses. J. exp. Med. 99, 167–182 (1954)
Dym, M., Fawcett, D. W.: The blood-testis barrier in the rat and the physiological compartmentation of the seminiferous epithelium. Biol. Reprod. 3, 308–326 (1970)
Lee, I. P., Schmid, B., Zbinden, G.: A simplified method for the isolation of sperm heads from the caput epididymidis of rodents and from ejaculated rabbit seminal plasma. Exp. Cell Biol. 45, 48–59 (1977)
Meistrich, M. L., Reid, B. O., Barcellona, W. J.: Meiotic DNA synthesis during mouse spermatogenesis. J. Cell Biol. 64, 211–222 (1975)
Okumura, K., Lee, I. P., Dixon, R. L.: Permeability of selected drugs and chemicals across the blood-testis barrier of the rat. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 194, 89–95 (1975)
Sega, G. A.: Unscheduled DNA synthesis in the germ cells of male mice exposed in vivo to the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 71, 4955–4959 (1974)
Sega, G. A., Owens, J. G.: Alkylation of DNA and protamine by ethyl methanesulfonate in the germ cells of male mice and its importance in the induction of dominant lethal mutations. 8th Annual Meeting, EMS, February 13–17, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1977
Sega, G. A., Owens, J. G., Cumming, R. B.: Studies on DNA repair in early spermatid stages of male mice after in vivo treatment with methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and isopropyl methanesulfonate. Mutation Res. 36, 193–212 (1976)
Stranzinger, G., Paufler, S.: Vergleichende Untersuchungen über Spermadichtemessungen beim Kaninchen mit dem elektronischen Partikelzählgerät „Coulter Counter, Mod. B” und der Zählkammer. Zuchthyg. 4, 121–127 (1969)
Swierstra, E. E., Foote, R. H.: Duration of spermatogenesis and spermatozoan transport in the rabbit based on cytological changes, DNA synthesis and labeling with tritiated thymidine. Amer. J. Anat. 116, 401–412 (1965)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmid, B., Lee, I.P. & Zbinden, G. DNA repair processes in germ cells demonstrated in ejaculated sperms of rabbits treated with methyl methane sulfonate. Arch Toxicol 40, 37–43 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353277
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353277