A pilot experiment for the micronucleus test. The multi-sampling at multi-dose levels method.

A pilot experiment was undertaken to find the optimal dose range and sampling time in the micronucleus test; 2 animals per group were used. The chemical was injected at 4 different doses, and smear preparations were made from femoral marrow cells at 5 different sampling times for each dose group. The incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was scored on the preparations stained with acridine orange. When the data were arranged two-dimensionally, the optimal dose and sampling time which could be used for a further full-scale test, could be estimated. In addition, sex differences and the effect of multiple treatment can be estimated using this protocol with minor modifications.