Cytogenetic and mutagenic effects of DDT and DDE in a Chinese hamster cell line

The mutagenic and cytogenetic effects of the chlorinated hydrocarbon 1,11-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] (DDT), and its metabolite [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene] (DDE) were investigated in vitro using a Chinese hamster cell line. A forward mutation system utilizing the 8-azaguanine sensitive to 8-azaguanine resistant marker was used as the index of mutagenic action. Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) was used as the positive control. In all experiments, DDE consistently produced a significant increase in the mutation frequency over the control level, while DDT proved inactive.Resultsof the cytogenetic studies indicated that DDE-treated cells had a significant increase in chromosome aberrations over those occuring in the control population; exchange figures and chromatid breaks wre evident. DDT produced no significant increase in chromosome abnormalities. The Chinese hamster cell populations exposed to DDE also manifested an increased number of polyploid cells over the control level.