Reciprocal exchanges of DNA in sister chromatids (SCEs) are induced by various carcinogens and mutagens, although the quantitative relationship between the number of mutations and SCEs induced varies among chemicals. Nevertheless, the analysis of SCEs production by various agents often pro-posed as a sensitive and quantitative assay for mutagenicity and cytotoxicity.
Mercury, even if which has no evidences for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, is reported to exert some cytotoxic effects, such as chromosomal aberrations or bad influences to ovulation and reproduction in experimental animals, etc..
In this study, tests for sister chromatid exchanges have been carried out on normal human lymphocytes in whole blood culture to add mercury chloride (HgC12) or methylmercury chloride (CH3 Hgcl) for 72 hr.
The results indicate the dose-dependent relationship between the frequencies of SCEs and the concentrations of HgC12, CHsHgCl and 5-bromo-2´-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Lymphocyte proliferation has depressed in the higher concentration of mercury.
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