In vivo evaluation of the genotoxic potential of curacron in somatic cells of mice.

Cytogenetic effects produced in somatic cells by Curacron, a phosphoric acid ester insecticide, were assessed in mice by three criteria: chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and micronucleus induction. Curacron significantly increased the frequency of all three in an apparent dose-dependent manner. Curacron also inhibited the mitotic activity. The increased number of micronuclei is comparable to the increase in chromosome aberrations; the latter were mainly breaks. The frequency of SCE was considerably less than the frequencies of micronuclei and chromosome aberrations.