AZT, rodent somatic and germ cell mutagenicity and reproductive toxicity tests

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

OSTI ID:115147

Shelby, M D ^[1]; Russell, L B; Generoso, W ^[2]

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1. NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (United States)

AZT (3`-axido-3`-deoxythymidine, Zidovudine) is the most widely used therapeutic agent in the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Use of AZT has not been limited to HIV-seropositive individuals or to those with symptoms of AIDS. It has also been used as a chemoprophylactic agent in people accidentally exposed to HIV-contaminated body fluids, and to HIV-seropositive pregnant women to prevent infection of the fetus. Because of these latter uses, it is particularly important to determine whether long-term health effects might be associated with AZT exposure. Tests have been conducted to determine the in vivo genetic toxicity of AZT in mice. Dominant-lethal and morphological-specific-locus tests were conducted in males using 2 daily initraperitoneal injections of 750 mg/kg. The dominant-lethal test was negative for all germ cell stages from differentiating spermatogonia to mature sperm. Likewise, no evidence of the induction of specific locus mutations was observed in either spermatogonial stem cells or poststem-cell stages. Further, tests for effects on male and female reproduction and in utero development indicate a lack of effects. These results, along with preliminary clinical reports that birth outcomes are normal in newborns exposed to AZT in utero, are encouraging with regard to the risks to offspring of parents exposed to AZT, either prior to or during pregnancy. However, positive results in mouse bone marrow micronucleus tests and one report on the induction of chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocytes of AIDS patients on AZT therapy indicate that further studies are needed on the potential of AZT to adversely affect the long-term health of exposed individuals.

• OSTI ID: 115147
• Report Number(s): CONF-9503160--
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: Suppl.25 Vol. 25; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
AIDS
DRUGS
GENETIC EFFECTS
THERAPY
TOXICITY