Mutagenicity testing with transgenic mice. Part II: Comparison with the mouse spot test

• Main Authors: Wahnschaffe Ulrich, Bitsch Annette, Kielhorn Janet, Mangelsdorf Inge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2005-01-01
• Series: Journal of Carcinogenesis
• Online Access: http://www.carcinogenesis.com/content/4/1/4

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The mouse spot test, an <it>in vivo </it>mutation assay, has been used to assess a number of chemicals. It is at present the only <it>in vivo </it>mammalian test system capable of detecting somatic gene mutations according to OECD guidelines (OECD guideline 484). It is however rather insensitive, animal consuming and expensive type of test. More recently several assays using transgenic animals have been developed. From data in the literature, the present study compares the results of <it>in vivo </it>testing of over twenty chemicals using the mouse spot test and compares them with results from the two transgenic mouse models with the best data base available, the <it>lacI </it>model (commercially available as the Big Blue^®mouse), and the <it>lacZ </it>model (commercially available as the Muta™ Mouse). There was agreement in the results from the majority of substances. No differences were found in the predictability of the transgenic animal assays and the mouse spot test for carcinogenicity. However, from the limited data available, it seems that the transgenic mouse assay has several advantages over the mouse spot test and may be a suitable test system replacing the mouse spot test for detection of gene but not chromosome mutations <it>in vivo</it>.</p>