GENOTOXIC EFFECTS INDUCED BY BETA-ESTRADIOL IN-VITRO

The carcinogenic endogenous hormone beta-oestradiol induces genotoxic effects in short-term mammalian tests. In this study we investigated m icronucleus induction in V79 cells. The early induction of primarily k inetochore positive micronuclei indicated a mechanism involving mitoti c disturbances. Metaphase arrangements that showed displaced chromosom es suggested that these chromosomes may be enclosed in micronuclei. Ho wever, observation of live cells revealed that most of the displaced c hromosomes reintegrated. In some of these cells chromatid separation a t anaphase was impaired and a small chromatin fragment was separated f rom the remaining chromatin. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.