Binding of ethylene oxide in spermiogenic germ cell stages of the mouse after low-level inhalation exposure
Mice received inhalation exposures of /sup 3/H-labeled ethylene oxide (EtO) gas at levels from 0.65 to 3.2 parts per million-hours (ppm-hr), which are below the exposure limits currently allowed for humans. Subsequently, spermatozoa were recovered from the reproductive tracts of the animals over a two-week period and assayed for the amount of bound EtO. A strong increase in the level of EtO binding occurred in late spermatid stages; these stages are also genetically sensitive to the action of EtO. Alkylation of the DNA within the sperm accounted for a very small fraction of the total sperm head alkylation, averaging about 20 DNA alkylations per sperm per ppm-hr of exposure over the two-week period. However, alkylation of protamine, a protein unique to sperm cells, was found to be correlated with total sperm head alkylation and accounted for nearly all of the EtO binding. Protamine alkylation appears to be a significant cause of EtO-induced genetic damage in spermiogenic cells of the mammal.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- OSTI ID:
- 5335536
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Mutagen.; (United States), Vol. 10:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA
ALKYLATION
PROTAMINES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
GENETIC EFFECTS
INHALATION
ETHYLENE
MICE
OXIDES
SPERMATOZOA
ALKENES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAGULANTS
DRUGS
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HEPARIN ANTAGONISTS
HYDROCARBONS
INTAKE
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550201 - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques