Induction of dominant lethal mutations by combined X-ray-acrylamide treatment in male mice

The induction of mutations following combined treatment with acrylamide (AA) plus X-rays has been determined using the dominant lethal mutations test in Pzh:SFISS male mice. Combinations of a mutagenic dose of both agents (1.00 Gy, 125 mg/kg b.w.) and a non-mutagenic dose, i.e., a dose that alone does not produce dominant lethals (0.25 Gy, 25 mg/kg b.w.), were used. For the discussion of the effects of combined action of X-rays and acrylamide the term 'enhancement in risk' was used whenever the effects observed after combined exposure significantly exceeded the sum of the effects produced separately by the agents. Such an enhanced risk has been observed in late spermatids after combined action of X-rays and AA at non-mutagenic doses, and in spermatozoa, spermatids and late spermatocytes after exposure to mutagenic doses.