An in vivo sister-chromatid exchange assay in the larvae of the mussel Mytilus edulis: response to 3 mutagens.

An in vivo sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) assay using the larvae of the mussel Mytilus edulis was developed. Larvae were exposed to mutagens beginning 12 h after fertilization and harvested 12 h later in the late trochophore stage. Dose responses to the mutagens bromodeoxyuridine, mitomycin C and methyl methanesulfonate were linear. The sensitivity of the SCE response of mussel larvae to these mutagens compares favorably with that of other systems and indicates this assay to be valuable in marine genetic toxicological monitoring.