[Effect of elevated temperatures on human lymphocyte chromosomes]

The influence of elevated temperatures (38-41 degrees C) on chromosomes of human lymphocytes on different phases of the cell cycle was studied. A high thermosensitivity of chromosomes was demonstrated during (S + G2)-phases of the cell cycle. There was a significant increase in the number of aberrant cells at t greater than 38.5%. The main types of chromosome aberrations were chromatid and chromosome deletions. Cells with 3-5 aberrations and induction of chromosome aberrations due to breaks in the centromere region were noticed at high temperatures (40-41 degrees).