Persistence of SCE-inducing damage in mouse embryos and fetuses following superovulation.

The frequency of sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) was analyzed in postimplantation embryos of superovulated Swiss and C57BL/6J Han mice. 12- and 16-day-old embryos, analyzed for SCE in vitro as whole embryo primary cell cultures, displayed an average increase in SCE of about 50%. Although an increased frequency of SCE cannot be used for the prediction of specific effects on the health of an individual, damage and possible repair of DNA which provide opportunities for modification of chromosomal structure and function may be present.