THE EFFECTS OF CYSTEAMINE AND AET Cl HCl ON THE INDUCTION OF MEIOTIC CHROMOSOME REARRANGEMENTS IN IRRADIATED MALE MICE

Abstract

Two established chemical protective agents, β-mercaptoethylamine (cysteamine) and β-aminoethylisothiuronium (AET) Cl HCl were tested for their ability to induce chromosome translocations in totally irradiated mice with 600 R. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether cysteamine and AET Cl HCl themselves induce reciprocal translocations and whether these chemical agents have an equally protective effect against X-ray-induced chromosomal translocations in the first meiotic metaphase. The incidence of translocations after whole-body irradiation with a 600 R was 9.07% in animals protected with cysteamine and irradiated; 3.68%; and in those protected with AET Cl HCl and irradiated with the same dose, 5.45%. Not a single chromosome rearrangement was recorded among the animals treated with cysteamine and AET without irradiation.