Further evaluation of a modified micronucleus assay with V79 cells for detection of aneugenic effects

In an earlier publication, we reported on the development of a modified micronucleus assay with V79 cells enabling preferential detection of aneugen-induced micronuclei (Seelbach et al., 1993). Here we present a further evaluation of the modified micronucleus assay based on the investigation of seven further suspected aneugens. Five compounds gave positive results: cadmium chloride, chloral hydrate, hydroquinone, thimerosal and vinblastine. Econazole and pyrimethamine were negative. Up to now, our experience has shown that data produced by the modified V79/micronucleus assay are quite reliable: the variation of spontaneous micronucleus frequencies was low (0.8-1.7%) and the reproducibility of the data was good.