Flow-cytometric enumeration of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mouse peripheral blood.

A flow-cytometric assay is described that can be used to determine the frequency and the DNA content of micronucleated polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes in mouse peripheral blood. Thiazole orange was used for discrimination between PCEs and NCEs, while Hoechst 33342 was used to detect micronucleated PCEs and NCEs. Up to 70,000 polychromatic erythrocytes can be analyzed in less than 10 min. This corresponds to 150-3,000 micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, 90-95% of which are true events as determined with a fluorescence microscope after sorting. Using X-rays as the inducing agent in dose-response experiments, a significant increase can be registered at doses of 0.02 Gy. It seems possible that the method will also allow the detection of clastogenic effects of other inducing agents at lower doses than previously possible.