Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in mouse germ cells following 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) exposure.

Acute toxicity studies of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) in mice demonstrated that the respective LD50 values for prepubertal and adult male mice were 180.7 mg/kg (154.0-197.5 mg/kg body weight) and 123 mg/kg (100.5-141.5 mg/kg body weight) which were significantly different. The slopes of the dose-response curves (1.2) were steep and essentially the same, indicating a narrow margin of safety. A single maximally tolerated dose of DBCP (100 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally to prepubertal male mice induced significant unscheduled DNA synthesis in the premeiotic germ cells but not in spermatozoa.