CYTOGENETIC STUDIES OF SODIUM-FLUORIDE IN MICE

The cytogenetic effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) were measured in mice following administration in the drinking water for 6 weeks. Bone fluo ride levels were determined and showed a dose-related incorporation of fluoride. Micronuclei were measured in peripheral blood erythrocytes following 1 and 6 weeks of NaF administration. Bone marrow cell prepar ations were examined for the presence of chromosome aberrations follow ing 6 weeks of treatment; metaphase and anaphase cells were examined. Anaphase cells were scored in three independent laboratories, two of w hich also scored metaphase cells from the same slides. No increases in micronuclei were seen in peripheral erythrocytes at either time point , and no increases in chromosome aberrations were seen in bone marrow cells when metaphase or anaphase cells were examined. A concurrent pos itive control, cyclophosphamide, produced significant increases in per ipheral blood cell micronuclei and in chromosome aberrations in bone m arrow cells in metaphase. No increases in aberrations were seen in the same cyclophosphamide-treated mice when anaphase cells were examined.