Combined treatment of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro with sodium nitrite and x-rays.

Man takes up nitrite in a considerable amount. Effects of nitrite on DNA have been reported; therefore, interaction between nitrite and radiation might be possible. Preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro were treated with a combination of sodium nitrite (1 mM or 2.5 mM) and X-rays (0.94 Gy) in order to obtain some information whether radiation risk is influenced by the presence of nitrite. The microscopic visible development up to 144 h post conceptionem (h p.c.), the number of cell nuclei, and the number of micronuclei were determined. None of the experimental results gives any indication that radiation risk is influenced by nitrite. All effects after combined treatment correspond to the sum of the single effects.