Chapter 6: An In Vitro Male Germ Cell Assay and Its Application for Detecting Phase-specificity of Genotoxins Check Access

Germline mutations resulting from exposure to genotoxic and mutagenic agents are of great concern because they not only affect the exposed generation but may also be transmitted to the offspring and potentially affect future generations. This can result in impaired fertility as a result of embryonic or heritable disease or abnormalities in the offspring. The investigation of reproductive toxicants represents one of the major current challenges in toxicology because of the great number of compounds to be investigated and the difficulty of testing male germ cells at different phases of their development. This chapter will provide information on reproductive endpoints that can indicate delivery of the agents to male germ cells and cytotoxic effects that may occur following exposure to genotoxic agents. Investigating aspects such as further characterisation of germ cell genotoxicity and DNA adducts could provide more information to elucidate the mode of genotoxic action of carcinogenic chemicals.