Detecting the effects of toxic agents on spermatogenesis using DNA probes
Advances in the molecular biology of spermatogenesis suggest that DNA probes can be used to monitor the effects of toxic agents in male germ cells of mammals. Molecular hybridization analyses with DNA probes can provide a reproducible methodology capable of detecting changes ranging from massive deletions to single base pair substitutions in the genome of exposed individuals. A constantly increasing number of DNA probes that can be used to detect such alterations in human sperm DNA exist for both ubiquitously expressed proteins and for genes solely expressed in the testis. In this chapter, the currently available testicular stage-specific and/or cell type-specific DNA probes and the techniques by which they can be utilized in reproductive toxicology studies are discussed. The advantages, limitations, and future technological advances of this novel biological marker system for the human male reproductive system are also considered.
- Research Organization:
- Tufts Univ., Medford, MA
- OSTI ID:
- 5403002
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Vol. 74
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
HYBRIDIZATION
RECOMBINANT DNA
SPERMATOGENESIS
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
DNA
ELECTROPHORESIS
GENE MUTATIONS
MALES
MEIOSIS
MESSENGER-RNA
MICE
PHOSPHORUS 32
TOXINS
ANIMALS
ANTIGENS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CELL DIVISION
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
GAMETOGENESIS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MUTATIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RNA
RODENTS
TOXIC MATERIALS
VERTEBRATES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology