Cytogenetic and teratogenic test of polybrominated biphenyls in rodents.

Previously we reported negative terata and c-mitosis synergism of FireMaster (polybrominated biphenyls) with colchicine in subacutely treated rats. Now we report absence of chromosome aberrations from FireMaster and absence of c-mitosis synergism of FireMaster and colchicine in male mice. For the study of chromosome aberrations groups of three mice received 0, 50, or 500 mg/kg FireMaster or 4.5 mg/kg triethylenemelamine (TEM) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide through a single stomach gavage administration. Five hours before killing the animals were injected with 5 mg colchicine/kg. Groups of 3 mice from each treatment killed 12, 24, and 48 hr after treatment. From the bone marrow of each of 36 mice 100 metaphases were scored for gaps, chromatid and chromosome breaks, rearrangements and pulverized chromosomes. Only TEM induced chromosome damage. For detection of synergism between FireMaster and colchicine, slides prepared for chromosome analysis were also scored for metaphase and mitotic indeces. Control mice for detection of synergism were treated as for the chromosome study but were not injected with colchicine. Approximately 1000 cells were scored from each of 72 animals for determination of metaphase and mitotic indeces. FireMaster did not show c-mitosis synergism with colchicine in mice. Treatment with FireMaster did not cause visually recognizable toxicity.