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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Transgenic Rodent Assay for Quantifying Male Germ Cell Mutant Frequency
Published on: August 6, 2014
Effects of ENU dosage on mouse strains
M J Justice1, D A Carpenter, J Favor
1Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. M.justice@bcm.tmc.edu
Abstract:
The germline supermutagen, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), has a variety of effects on mice. ENU is a toxin and carcinogen as well as a mutagen, and strains differ in their susceptibility to its effects. Therefore, it is necessary to determine an appropriate mutagenic, non-toxic dose of ENU for strains that are to be used in experiments. In order to provide some guidance, we have compiled data from a number of laboratories that have exposed male mice from inbred and non-inbred strains or their F(1) hybrids to ENU. The results show that most F(1) hybrid animals tolerate ENU well, but that inbred strains of mice vary in their longevity and in their ability to recover fertility after treatment with ENU.
