Screening of Environmental Mutagenic Compounds

Using the silkworm oocyte system, screening of mutagenic compounds has been carried out by Tazima and his associates. The chemicals tested were mostly known carcinogens and their allied compounds. The data so far obtained are shown in Table 

A compound that has more than two mutagenically active groups is mentioned in two or more places. For instance, MMC is cited in two places, one in the aziridine group (1) and the other in the nitrosamide group (3). 

Compounds tested ment city Dose s References  

A dose without any specification is shown on a f er capita basis. For example, 50 g means that the compound is mutagenically active at a dose of 50 g or higher 750 /tg, that the compound is inactive at a dose of 750 fig or lower. The body weight of the injected pupa is approximately 1 g. 

In contrast, most compounds that have strong carcinogenicity, such as nitrosamines and polycyclic hydrocarbons (Table 10, groups 3 and 11), have not been found mutagenic by this method, except for a few compounds. 

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