In vivo micronucleus assays on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives.

The potential for 2,4-D and seven of its salts and esters to induce cytogenetic abnormalities in mammalian cells in vivo was investigated in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. All the test materials were administered to male and female mice by oral gavage and the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE) in the bone marrow were determined at intervals of 24, 48 and 72 h following dosing. There were no significant increases in the incidence of MN-PCE in the treated mice at any of the bone marrow sampling times. These results are consistent with the reported lack of in vitro genetic toxicity for these materials in various in vitro genotoxicity assays as well as the absence of carcinogenic potential for 2,4-D in both mice and rats.