A Preliminary Study on the Chromosomal Effect on Prenatal Exposure of Albino Mice (Mus musculus Linn.) to Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)

Abstract

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether is a volatile, colorless, organic chemical used as an alternative for lead in gasoline. To determine the effects of MTBE on chromosomes, 80 milligrams per kilogram body weight of MTBE was introduced intraperitoneally in 2-week pregnant albino mice (Mus musculus Linn., 12-week old). One pregnant albino mouse without MTBE exposure yielded 6 offspring. These were used as control. MTBE administration induced changes in 4 out of 10 M, progenies namely Tia, Tag, Te and Tyr. Deletion and fragments were found in T,,. Dicentrics and fusion were found in Ty. Fusion and fragments were found in Ta, and ring chromosome was seen in Ty. Change in chromosome number from n = 40 to n = 38 was found in T,q4. Six of the of the metaphase spreads from the M1 progenies exhibited normal structure and number. More studies should be undertaken to further demonstrate the changes brought about by MTBE.