Mutagenicity tests with nickel salts in the male mouse

The ability of NiCl2 and Ni(NO3)2 to induce chromosome aberrations in vivo in male mouse has been tested by the micronucleus test and the dominant lethality test. NiCl2 as well as Ni(NO3)2 failed to produce micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes whereas cyclophosphamide, used as positive control, raised their incidence markedly. In contrast to the results obtained with cyclophosphamide, NiCl2 and Ni(NO3)2 did not increase the rate of post-implantation death. These compounds decreased significantly, however, the rate of pregnancy as well as the amount of pre-implantation loss. Taking into account also the data in the literature, it is concluded that nickel probably has no clastogenic properties in mammals.