Detection of DNA damage in spermiogenic stages of mice treated with enriched uranyl fluoride by alkaline elution.

DNA breakage in spermiogenic stages of mice treated with enriched uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) was studied using an alkaline elution technique. Mature spermatozoa were sampled from the animal's vas and eluted with a buffer (PH 12.2) at 3-day intervals over a 33-day period after i.p. injection of 2 mg UO2F2/kg and always at 36 days after thymidine labeling in the testes. Elution of sperm DNA from treated animals varied with spermiogenic stages. At 12 days after exposure the amount of the elution of sperm DNA was found highest and increased with the increasing UO2F2 dose up to 6 mg/kg.