Premature chromosome condensation in the bone marrow of chinese hamsters after whole body irradiation with Co-60 gamma rays in vivo.

In the Chinese hamster bone marrow chromosomal aberrations were induced after whole body irradiation with Co-60 gamma rays in vivo. Aberrant mitoses give rise to lagging chromatin that forms micronuclei. Eventually the micronuclei are slowed down in their cell cycles in comparison to the main nuclei. The mitotic chromatin of the main nuclei induces premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in the micronuclei that are still in the interphase state of their cell cycles.