Aneuploidy induction in mouse spermatocytes

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Updated: Oct 20, 2026

Mouse Oocyte Microinjection, Maturation and Ploidy Assessment
07:03

Mouse Oocyte Microinjection, Maturation and Ploidy Assessment

Published on: July 23, 2011

B M Miller1, I D Adler

  • 1GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Institut für Säugetiergenetik, Neuherberg, FRG.

Mutagenesis
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Ten spindle poisons were tested for aneuploidy induction in male germ cells. Several chemicals, including colchicine (COL) and vinblastine (VBL), induced hyperploidy and meiotic delay, suggesting potential for prescreening.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Genetics
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Aneuploidy, an abnormal chromosome number, is a significant concern in reproductive health.
  • Developing reliable assays for aneuploidy induction is crucial for risk assessment.
  • Spindle poisons are chemicals known to interfere with cell division.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the aneuploidy-inducing potential of 10 known and suspect spindle poisons in male germ cells.
  • To assess the correlation between meiotic delay and aneuploidy induction.
  • To establish a prescreening method for aneuploidy induction.

Main Methods:

  • Testing of 10 spindle poisons (colchicine, econazole, chloral hydrate, hydroquinone, diazepam, thiabendazole, cadmium chloride, pyrimethamine, thimerosal, vinblastine) in (102/El x C3H/El)F1 mice.
  • Evaluation of testicular material at 6, 14, and 22 hours post-treatment with varying doses.
  • Chromosome counting in secondary spermatocytes for hyperploidy and assessment of spermatogonial mitoses and meiotic metaphases for cell proliferation effects.

Main Results:

  • Colchicine (COL), econazole (EZ), chloral hydrate (CH), hydroquinone (HQ), and vinblastine (VBL) significantly increased hyperploid secondary spermatocytes, indicating non-disjunction.
  • Diazepam (DZ) and cadmium chloride (CD) showed significant (P < 0.05) but less pronounced aneuploidy induction.
  • COL, EZ, CH, HQ, DZ, CD, and VBL induced meiotic delay in primary and/or secondary spermatocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Meiotic delay can serve as an indicator for aneuploidy induction.
  • Assessing changes in testicular cell proliferation offers a valuable prescreening method for aneuploidy.
  • This approach can partially replace time-consuming chromosome counting in secondary spermatocytes.

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