Effects on mouse blastocysts of in vitro exposure to methylnitrosourea and 3-methylcholanthrene.

Mouse blastocysts were exposed in vitro to various concentrations of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and 3-methylcholanthrene. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine, and [3H]leucine into the exposed blastocysts was determined either immediately following exposure or after 18 hr of culture. The concentrations of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea or 3-methylcholanthrene used had no effect on blastocyst viability in either situation. There was a concentration-dependent decrease in the incorporation of the precursors into blastocysts exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea which appears to be more pronounced after 18 hr in culture. This effect was not demonstrated for 3-methylcholanthrene, which requires metabolic activation for reactivity. Blastocysts exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea were injected into the uterine horns of surrogate mothers; a significant increase in the resorption rate of these blastocysts was seen when compared with controls. Similar experiments were performed to determine birth rate. A dose-dependent decrease in birth rate was observed which correlated well with the effects on incorporation of thymidine, uridine, and leucine but not with the effect of implantation rate.