[Cells of the external granular layer of the rat cerebellum as a test system for evaluating the clastogenic activity of chemical compounds].

A high sensitivity to the effect of nitrosomethylurea in the chromosomes of the rat cerebellum external granular layer has been found. The frequency of occurrence of cells with the micronuclei in cerebellum of animals under study increases 10-40-fold in comparison with the control ones. The number of genetically aberrant cells reaches the maximum in 24 and 48 h after mutagen treatment at doses 100 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. It has been suggested to use the proliferating cells of rat cerebellum external granular layer as an effective test system for studying the clastogenic activity of chemicals.