CYTOGENETIC EFFECT OF PHEROMONES ON BONE- MARROW CELLS OF MALE HOUSE MICE MUS-MUSCULUS L

Young male CBA/LacStoRap mice were exposed for two hours to volatile c omponents of native or dialyzed urine (VC or VCd, respectively) of mat ure males of the same line. To estimate the effects of VC and VCd on b one marrow cells, cytogenetic analysis of mitotic disturbances in anap hase-telophase cells was performed. The overall frequency of mitotic d isturbances in VC-treated mice became significantly higher 24 and 48 h after exposure but returned to the initial level 72 h after exposure (P <0.05). Similar effects were observed after 24 h in mice exposed to VCd. These results suggest that VC and VCd are capable of disturbing the stability of genetic processes in proliferating bone marrow cells. Evidence was also obtained that these components are associated with major urinary proteins. The significance and possible mechanisms of ef fects observed in the study are discussed.