GERM-LINE SPECIFIC FACTORS IN CHEMICAL MUTAGENESIS

Chemical mutagenesis test results have not revealed evidence of germ l ine specific mutagens. However, conventional assays have indicated tha t there are male-female differences in mutagenic response, as well as quantitative/qualitative differences in induced mutations which depend upon the particular cell stage exposed. Many factors inherent in the germ line can be speculated to influence chemical transport to, and in teraction with, target cell populations to result in mutagenic outcome s. The level of uncertainty regarding the general operation of such fa ctors, in combination with the limited availability of chemical test d ata designed to address comparative somatic and germ cell mutagenesis, leaves open the question of whether there are mutagens specifically a ffecting germ cells. This argues for a conservative approach to interp reting germ cell risk from somatic cell mutation analysis.