Effect of nitrofurantoin on meiosis of the male mouse.

The effects of nitrofurantoin [N-(5-nitro-2-furfurylidine)-1-amino-hydantoin] on chromosomes of primary and secondary spermatocytes of mice were studied. No mutagenic activity was detectable after application of either 8 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg nitrofurantoin. An increase in the univalent rates and a decrease in the chiasma frequencies was observed in treated animals. The probable origins of these effects are discussed.