An in vivo giemsa chromosome banding technique.

An in vivo chromosome banding technique has been developed. Swiss albino mice were injected with the DNA alkylating agents ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl methanesulfonate, or methyl ethanesulfonate 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours prior to cell harvesting. After harvesting, the cells were fixed with 3:1 methanol-acetic acid and slides were prepared by air drying. The slides were stained 2 1/2 minutes in 3% Giemsa in pH 6.8 Sorensen's buffer. All three alkylating agents induced chromosome bands similar to the Giemsa bands induced by other banding techniques which involve postfixation treatments.